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Very Good

#642 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 35% 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

7.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#642 of 1,851

In Vienna

#10 of 15

public schools

In district

#93 of 199

Fairfax County Public Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Thoreau Middle

7.2/10

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

Cunningham Park Elementary

6.0/10

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

Stenwood Elementary

8.9/10

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

About Thoreau Middle

Thoreau Middle is a public middle school in Vienna, VA, part of Fairfax County Public Schools. Thoreau Middle serves approximately 1,246 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Thoreau Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #642 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Thoreau Middle show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)85% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,975
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

Thoreau Middle — Students at Thoreau Middle score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.9% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 91.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 SOL)

Based on 31 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2010
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
99.5%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
93%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
91%
2017
ELA
91%
2018
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2019
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2020*
Math
75%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
90%
2025
Math
75.7%
ELA
87%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Thoreau Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
65th percentile in VA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

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

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 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jackson Middle (rated 5.1/10, 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 6.0
Stenwood Elementary Vienna 0.7 mi 8.9
HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dunn Loring 0.9 mi
Dunn Loring Early Childhood Resource Center Dunn Loring 0.9 mi 5.5
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 6.8
Kilmer Center Vienna 1.3 mi 6.1
Kilmer Middle Vienna 1.3 mi 7.1
Jackson Middle Falls Church 1.5 mi 5.1
Freedom Hill Elementary Vienna 1.7 mi 6.0
Vienna Elementary Vienna 1.5 mi 8.3
VIENNA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Vienna 1.4 mi 7.1
Marshall Road Elementary Vienna 1.5 mi 5.1
APPLETREE II SCHOOL Vienna 1.5 mi
FUSION ACADEMY TY: TYSONS Vienna 1.9 mi 6.2
Westbriar Elementary Vienna 2.3 mi 8.3
Marshall High Falls Church 1.9 mi 7.7
MERRITT ACADEMY Fairfax 2.1 mi 7.1
Shrevewood Elementary Falls Church 1.9 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belmont Ridge Middle Leesburg, VA 7.2
Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg, VA 7.2
Forest Middle Forest, VA 7.2
Gainesville Middle Gainesville, VA 7.2
Joseph T. Henley Middle Crozet, VA 7.2
Pulaski County Middle Pulaski, VA 7.2

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 ranks #642 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Thoreau Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Thoreau Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Thoreau Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thoreau Middle has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

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

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