Very Good
#310 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 17% in state
South Lakes High
High School · Fairfax County Public Schools
11400 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191
Enrollment
2,473
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,473
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Reston
#3 of 10
public schools
Virginia high schools
#70 of 323
In district
#61 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About South Lakes High
South Lakes High School serves 2,473 students in grades 9-12 in Reston, Virginia, making it a substantial high school in the Fairfax County school system. With 219 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 11.3 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention than many large high schools can provide. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 97th out of 1,856 high schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile of Virginia schools.
This strong performance reflects both the school's educational programs and the supportive community environment. South Lakes High is situated in an affluent area where families clearly prioritize education. The surrounding 20191 ZIP code boasts a median household income of $139,932 and a median home value of $582,400.
Perhaps most telling is that 65% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while only 5.5% of families live in poverty among the area's nearly 30,000 residents. The school operates in Reston's small city setting, benefiting from a well-educated, economically stable community that strongly values academic achievement and provides extensive support for student success.
What Parents Should Know
South Lakes High is a large school with 2,473 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Lakes High — Students at South Lakes High score 82% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How South Lakes High Compares
See how South Lakes High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 88% (2019) to 88% (2025).
Location
11400 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Lakes High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aldrin Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, AL FATIH ACADEMY (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Reston, see our Reston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hughes Middle Reston | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Terraset Elementary Reston | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Reston | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| DOMINION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reston | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| RUSSIAN KIDS HOUSE Reston | 1.4 mi | — |
| Sunrise Valley Elementary Reston | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Reston | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Reston | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| ACADEMY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Reston | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| EDLIN SCHOOL Reston | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Crossfield Elementary Herndon | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| DOMINION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oakton | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RESTON Reston | 2.1 mi | — |
| Dogwood Elementary Reston | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| AL FATIH ACADEMY Reston | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Lake Anne Elementary Reston | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Forest Edge Elementary Reston | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Fox Mill Elementary Herndon | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Aldrin Elementary Reston | 3.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Armstrong Elementary Reston | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20191 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$141,019
Median Home Value
$616,700
Median Rent
$1,983/mo
Population
30,077
College Educated
65.9%
Homeownership
69.4%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Lakes High has a median household income of $141,019. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $616,700, with a median rent of $1,983/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Yorktown High Arlington, VA | 7.8 |
| Courtland High Spotsylvania, VA | 7.7 |
| Deep Run High Glen Allen, VA | 7.7 |
| Grassfield High Chesapeake, VA | 7.7 |
| Salem High Virginia Beach, VA | 7.7 |
| Tallwood High Virginia Beach, VA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Lakes High
What grades does South Lakes High serve?
South Lakes High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Lakes High?
South Lakes High has an enrollment of approximately 2,473 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Lakes High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Lakes High is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Lakes High rank in VA?
South Lakes High is ranked #310 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is South Lakes High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Lakes High has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Lakes High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Lakes High has 70.3% math proficiency and 79.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Lakes High a charter school?
No, South Lakes High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Lakes High a Title I school?
No, South Lakes High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Lakes High?
33.3% of students at South Lakes High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,473
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 219
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 715-4500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfax County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 180,714
- Schools in District
- 223
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,975
- District Rank
- #61 of 199
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.