Very Good
#394 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 21% in state
Thoreau Middle
Middle School · Fairfax County Public Schools
2505 Cedar Ln, Vienna, VA 22180
Enrollment
1,246
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,246
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vienna
#11 of 15
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#80 of 340
In district
#75 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Thoreau Middle
Thoreau Middle serves 1,246 students in grades 7 and 8 in Vienna, Virginia, operating as part of the Fairfax County school system. With 92 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, providing reasonable individual attention for middle schoolers navigating this crucial developmental period. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks 758th among Virginia's 1,856 schools, placing it in the 59th percentile statewide.
This middle-of-the-pack performance suggests the school has room for academic growth while serving a substantial student body in one of Northern Virginia's well-established communities. Thoreau Middle draws from an exceptionally affluent and educated neighborhood, where families enjoy a median household income of $179,320 and median home values of $878,600. The surrounding area reflects strong educational values, with 78% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 4.2% among the ZIP code's 26,179 residents.
Located on Cedar Lane, the school sits in Vienna's large suburban setting, benefiting from the resources and stability of one of Fairfax County's most prosperous communities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thoreau Middle — Students at Thoreau Middle score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 5.7/10.
How Thoreau Middle Compares
See how Thoreau Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 91% (2019) to 97% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 88% (2019) to 87% (2025).
Location
2505 Cedar Ln, Vienna, VA 22180
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thoreau Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kilmer Middle (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Jackson Middle (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Falls Church), a more accessible option. For more schools in Vienna, see our Vienna schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cunningham Park Elementary Vienna | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Stenwood Elementary Vienna | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dunn Loring | 0.9 mi | — |
| Dunn Loring Early Childhood Resource Center Dunn Loring | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| PALM TREE SCHOOL Fairfax | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL SCHOOL Vienna | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairhill Elementary Fairfax | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Kilmer Center Vienna | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Kilmer Middle Vienna | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Jackson Middle Falls Church | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Freedom Hill Elementary Vienna | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Vienna Elementary Vienna | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| VIENNA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Vienna | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Marshall Road Elementary Vienna | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| APPLETREE II SCHOOL Vienna | 1.5 mi | — |
| FUSION ACADEMY TY: TYSONS Vienna | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Westbriar Elementary Vienna | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Marshall High Falls Church | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| MERRITT ACADEMY Fairfax | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Shrevewood Elementary Falls Church | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22180 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$181,467
Median Home Value
$916,900
Median Rent
$2,335/mo
Population
26,506
College Educated
76.1%
Homeownership
67.8%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thoreau Middle has a median household income of $181,467. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $916,900, with a median rent of $2,335/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Chickahominy Middle Mechanicsville, VA | 7.6 |
| Deep Creek Middle Chesapeake, VA | 7.6 |
| Kenmore Middle Arlington, VA | 7.6 |
| Old Donation School Virginia Beach, VA | 7.6 |
| George M. Hampton Middle Woodbridge, VA | 7.5 |
| Harper Park Middle Leesburg, VA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thoreau Middle
What grades does Thoreau Middle serve?
Thoreau Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Thoreau Middle?
Thoreau Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,246 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Middle is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thoreau Middle rank in VA?
Thoreau Middle is ranked #394 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Thoreau Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Thoreau Middle has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Thoreau Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thoreau Middle has 81.2% math proficiency and 87.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thoreau Middle a charter school?
No, Thoreau Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thoreau Middle a Title I school?
No, Thoreau Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thoreau Middle?
18.9% of students at Thoreau 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Vienna). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,246
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 92
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 846-8000
- 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
- #75 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
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