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Excellent

#125 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 7% in state

South County Middle

Middle School · Fairfax County Public Schools

8700 Laurel Crest Dr., Lorton, VA 22079

Enrollment

967

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

8.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#125 of 1,851

In Lorton

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#24 of 199

Fairfax County Public Schools

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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South County Middle

8.7/10

Middle School in Lorton · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South County High

7.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Laurel Hill Elementary

8.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South County Middle

South County Middle is a public middle school in Lorton, VA, part of Fairfax County Public Schools. South County Middle serves approximately 967 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South County Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #125 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for South County Middle show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency85% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)83% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,975
Chronic Absenteeism15.1%

South County Middle — Students at South County Middle score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.8% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
66.9% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 84.5% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 SOL)

Based on 25 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2012
Math
80%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2015
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
85%
2017
ELA
86%
2018
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2019
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2020*
Math
66%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
81%
ELA
85.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How South County Middle Compares

See how South County Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
93th percentile in VA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8700 Laurel Crest Dr., Lorton, VA 22079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South County Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Silverbrook Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Fairfax Station), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sangster Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Springfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Springfield Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Springfield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lorton, see our Lorton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
South County High Lorton 0.5 mi 7.7
Laurel Hill Elementary Lorton 0.7 mi 8.1
Halley Elementary Fairfax Station 0.8 mi 5.8
Newington Forest Elementary Springfield 1.3 mi 7.7
Silverbrook Elementary Fairfax Station 1.4 mi 9.2
Lorton Station Elementary Lorton 1.8 mi 4.6
Saratoga Elementary Springfield 1.9 mi 8.1
THE SPRINGS A MONTESSORI SCHOOL Springfield 2.3 mi 6.9
Hunt Valley Elementary Springfield 2.8 mi 7.9
Sangster Elementary Springfield 2.7 mi 9.0
Orange Hunt Elementary Springfield 3.1 mi 7.5
ANGELUS ACADEMY Springfield 2.6 mi 7.1
Rockledge Elementary Woodbridge 3.1 mi 6.4
Rolling Valley Elementary Springfield 3.4 mi 7.2
Gunston Elementary Lorton 3.2 mi 8.2
Occoquan Elementary Woodbridge 3.5 mi 8.0
West Springfield Elementary Springfield 3.6 mi 8.5
RIVERMONT SCHOOL - NOVA Lorton 2.9 mi 8.0
Antietam Elementary Woodbridge 3.5 mi 5.1
CARDINAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Woodbridge 4.1 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,817

Median Home Value

$600,800

Median Rent

$2,457/mo

Population

36,523

College Educated

57.7%

Homeownership

76.2%

Avg Commute

31.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cooper Middle Mclean, VA 8.7
Longfellow Middle Falls Church, VA 8.6
Trailside Middle Ashburn, VA 8.8
Rocky Run Middle Chantilly, VA 8.5
E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon, VA 8.9
Old Donation School Virginia Beach, VA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South County Middle

What grades does South County Middle serve?

South County Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend South County Middle?

South County Middle has an enrollment of approximately 967 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South County Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at South County Middle is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South County Middle rank in VA?

South County Middle ranks #125 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is South County Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

South County Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South County Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South County Middle has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

Is South County Middle a charter school?

No, South County Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South County Middle a Title I school?

No, South County Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South County Middle?

24.6% of students at South County Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
967
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
72
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Fairfax County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

District

Fairfax County Public Schools
District Enrollment
180,714
Schools in District
223
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,975
District Rank
#24 of 199

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