2023 Best Public High Schools in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  569 reviews

Sophomore: Overall TJ is an excellent school for those who are willing to be apart of a very academically rigorous environment. Education wise, it has some of the most talented teachers who’ve done years of professional training in whatever backgrounds they’ve pursued. The students here are one of the top kids in the state and have done lists and lists of impressive things. You can imagine how much of an overwhelming environment it is…Going into it makes you feel less capable than your peers who’ve launched space rovers or worked on political campaigns. As a student there, my GPA may not be good and my grades may look unexpected, but what I do know is that every student in this school, including myself, are the most hardworking and driven people I’ve ever seen. Sure high school will be undeniably difficult, but the students here will be more than prepared for whatever comes next.... Read 569 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,809

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  335 reviews

Alum: Poolesville high school is a great high school with many different opportunities for it's students. It has a magnet program, thats focused on different rigorous subjects in the school. It was ranked continuously the best public high school on the east coast for a couple of years in a row. They have great clubs that allow students to express their interests in many different fields and subjects. They had extra curricular activities that were diverse. They had a great sports program that would encourage students to exercise and to join sporting teams. I personally had a great time in poolesville. I was a soccer player as well as a student. I was part of the chemistry club, and was also part of the Independent studies program at school in which I received an award for in my senior year of high school because of a presentation. Poolesville could make some improvements tho. Most of the facilities in the school was old and outdated. I feel like that was a negative part of my high school.... Read 335 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,236

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  245 reviews

Senior: The academics, staff, and students are great overall! There are many opportunities to get involved and get help. However, the school is very competitive.... Read 245 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,991

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  346 reviews

Junior: Offers a wide variety of opportunities for a diverse student body with exceptional academics, arts, and clubs & activities, where many students are able to go above and beyond pursuing their passions. While there are plenty of resources-for example, students have their first 6 AP tests financially covered by the school-the facilities need renovations and the cafeteria should provide healthier and more wholesome options (then again it's cafeteria food). Though the school fosters excellence, the competition can become less healthy and more toxic, and the predominantly rigorous, college-oriented environment can become stressful. I make sure to maintain my mental health, but I am thankful for the flexible array of academic opportunities offered by McLean's course offerings. The student-counselor relationship is relatively close here compared to other schools and getting the classes/schedule modifications you want is not difficult. There're also tons of school spirit and awesome people!... Read 346 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,317

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  328 reviews

Senior: School size is very manageable compared to some other county schools. It did feel like a community. Overall, there is a good mix of old school and newer teaching methods with the teachers. Also, the sports programs at Churchill are very competitive and fun to support. It's a great way to stay involved and meet new people. There are a variety of clubs as well -- whatever you're interested in, there is definitely something for you! If you don't find what you're looking for, Churchill makes starting a club very easy.... Read 328 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,245

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  578 reviews

Parent: My daughter graduated from Richard Montgomery and she got an excellent education! RM is our zoned school but she tested into and was accepted into the IB programme. The teachers were exceptional and compassionate. The administrators were receptive to parental input. We have an amazingly involved PTSA that advocates for staff and students. My daughter applied to eight universities and was accepted to seven. My daughter is now in her freshman year and has transitioned well as she has a strong foundation. The school is diverse and there are extracurricular activities for almost any interest. The students are encouraged to provide input for change. Overall, it’s a great environment and my daughter really thrived... Read 578 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,410

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  536 reviews

Junior: Overall, I think Wootton High School is a good school. The academics are top tier, most of the teachers are helpful, and there is a vast amount of extra curricular activities. However, if you're a black student then you will experience racism from other students (Whites, Asians); and possibly even teachers at times. But in totality, Wootton is a great school and I would definitely recommend it to anybody!... Read 536 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,037

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  509 reviews

Junior: People are very friendly and it’s got great academic classes. Has a wide variety of ways to get involved with the school and making friends is not hard. Overall the teachers are super nice. Counselors are very helpful. There are many clubs, organizations, fundraisers, sports events and other activities students can get involved in with the WJ community!... Read 509 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,820

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  273 reviews

Senior: Langley is a highly recognized high school with a very diverse student body. With focuses on inclusivity and understanding, Langley is a very welcoming environment. Students typically take a course load with at least one or two non-standard courses (honors/AP). There is a competitive nature that I think surrounds the school, however, this feeling fosters hard working individuals. Langley's golf, tennis, swim/dive, and girls tennis teams are exceptional and hold many titles for the school. While the faculty and staff are beyond great, some of the administration, at Langley, are not very kind to the students and lack female representation. I feel that many students would find what they are looking for here, from AP photography to robotics club to model United Nations, there are many opportunities students can take advantage of in order to become a part of the community.... Read 273 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,023

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  449 reviews

Senior: B-CC is a pretty above average school I’d say. My time here was alright, honestly. I enjoyed the amount of activities here, honestly there’s something for everyone and I find that pretty nice! Academics are pretty good and rigorous however I think the culture here can get a bit stressful for any student who cares about going to college. From my personal experience, I found it hard to connect with some of my wealthier peers, many here come from families who have enough money to not have to worry about the price of anything really. Teachers were definitely my favorite part of the whole experience next to the amount of things you can get involved in.... Read 449 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,270

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  510 reviews

Senior: Chantilly is a very diverse environment. There are many clubs that will suit your interests and my favority part is the amount of CTE Academy classes that you can choose from. The academy teachers are very in tune with students and teach you important career skills as well. My favorite classes were Pharmacy Tech and Exploring Health Sciences and taking the pharmacy class even allowed me to participate in an internship. Everyone bonds well with each other and most have common academic goals which helps to lessen the stress that everyone feels. Overall, Chantilly is a great high school with great diversity, teachers, and academics!... Read 510 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,947

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• District of Columbia Public Schools, DC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  416 reviews

Senior: School Without Walls HS provides students with a rigorous education that will prepare them for college and beyond. While it is known as a humanities magnet school, the humanities are not emphasized more than science or math. Multiple AP courses are available to students and there is a good mix of electives. I have liked the support I received from my counselor when choosing courses or navigating high school in general, the support from teachers for challenging concepts, and support from administration on other matters. I also particularly enjoy the school culture in which most students are motivated to learn and friendly with one another, and the variety of clubs that build community and allow for leadership. The school pushes everyone to be independent in managing their time and taking responsibility for their actions which comes with privileges such as off-campus lunch. Wholly, I have had a positive experience in high school and would recommend the school to those ready to learn!... Read 416 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  504 reviews

Senior: As a Senior in Oakton High School currently, I have faced the curriculum and teaching while being in-person and virtual. Overall, the teachers have done an amazing job to be inclusive and teach material well. The staff is very considerate of all students as long as there is clear communication between the student, their family, and the school. As for the opportunities, there is a good mix of athletics, academics and clubs. It is extremely easy to start something and all students are very involved in some sort of activity throughout each high school year. The only thing I would tweak for this school would be it's course offerings. When compared with Chantilly High School, they can be more offerings so that students in FCPS can compete better with their neighboring schools when coming to course load (APs, IBs, academies, etc).... Read 504 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,715

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  442 reviews

Senior: Woodson was the first public school I attended. It was a hard adjustment, but I could not have asked for a better experience. The atmosphere of the school is welcoming, nonjudgemental, and kind. I loved going to school because of the amazing teachers and students. There are many resources for students who may be struggling in certain subject matter or want extra help, such as the Writing and Math centers. Clubs and sports are where many students can find their community. Woodson is known for its great athletic programs, winning many district, regional, and state championships. I have been on the Varsity volleyball program since freshman year, and I am so grateful for it. I was able to meet new people and make friends before school even started. Woodson students are high acheiving in everything they do, specifically acedemics. Overall, Woodson is a great school that prepares you for the future while having many fun and memorable experiences along the way!... Read 442 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,516

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  439 reviews

Freshman: Briar Woods High School does not only value collaboration and diversity, but also basic high standards and values for students like me. The faculty staff always have smiles on their faces and are ready to give aid and support whenever needed. The high school curriculum is efficient and allows students to set goals and high standards for themselves. In addition, all of the people around me always allow students to feel secure and safe. Respect is a quality that is emphasized and is an important aspect of my school. Briar Woods has a number of trained staff and programs, such as school counselors, who work with difficult or troubled students before problems escalate. They will spend the time necessary to understand the root of people's concerns and will be quick to safeguard our schools' responsibilities. Overall, I believe that as a school, teachers should learn alongside students and communicate with one another. We're showing vulnerability, which can help each other's self-esteem.... Read 439 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,795

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  105 reviews

Senior: Riverside High School offered to me an opportunity for growth, both socially and mentally. It was considerably more challenging an experience than previous years of education had been. With a plethora of advanced classes available for the overachievers and a wide variety of extracurriculars, clubs, and electives for the hobbyists and students planning on specializing, it provides everyone the opportunity to try something new. I could easily name several passionate teachers of mine over the years, which is a testament to the overall desire of the school to see students blossom. Even the building itself is extremely well-kept, and the careful maintenance shows. If there is anything negative to comment on, however, I might address the lack of rigor in some academic classes. I understand there is a significant gap in the acceleration and difficulty of content between academic, honors, and AP courses, but some of the academic ones tend to feel as if the bar is too low.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,848

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  395 reviews

Sophomore: Last year, I started freshman year at James Madison High School, and the experience so far has been absolutely unbelievable! The school offers a variety of clubs to bring the student community together, and I have recently joined Key Club and Junior Civitan in order to give back to my community. Moreover, my experience with club members and others in the student body has been remarkable! The student community that Madison has built is diverse, success driven, and unified. The school also includes a pleather of sports teams, where students can focus on team building, health, and competitive drive. I am currently a member of the Tennis Team, and though my time on the team so far has been cut short due to the pandemic, I have created several new friends and improved my athletic ability. Lastly, I have not had a single bad experience in my learning, and all of my teachers have inspired me to strive for success and push myself in order to become an even better learner.... Read 395 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,230

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  764 reviews

Senior: I got into Montgomery Blair High School via its communication arts program (CAP); although it was super challenging at first, in the end I really found that the teachers in the program helped me grow and find my interests. Blair is the biggest school in the DCC consortium as well and there are so many different people that you can get to know. Once I found my friend group I found school much more exciting and fun! Apart from the special programs, it's also super easy to participate in the dances and events the SGA puts on and the many clubs that they have all year round.... Read 764 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,220

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  333 reviews

Senior: Yorktown High School is a great high school with excelling programs for learning!! The staff and teachers are majority very helpful and kind and challenge students daily to become better students and people in general. The only negative aspect of the school is the lack of diversity and the common bias against certain groups, students can sometimes show exclusive behaviors, and also the culture of "popularity" is a common theme and social aspect of the school. Still, it is relatively easy to connect and find your kind of people.... Read 333 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,514

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  153 reviews

Sophomore: I love Rock Ridge High School because both the students and teachers are so welcoming. Everyone knows that high school is a scary environment, especially when shifting from the online school era. This made them more empathetic towards people and actually look out for their well-being. I also love how Rock Ridge High School prioritizes students' education as this is extremely beneficial when applying for colleges. All of the counselors work diligently to meet with every student so that they choose the right courses for them for whichever career pathway they are planning to go on. Before high school, I hated when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up because I had no idea what profession I was interested in pursuing my entire life. Because of the amazing teachers and counselors at Rock Ridge High School, I now know what career I want to pursue and I am so grateful for that!... Read 153 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,404

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  562 reviews

Junior: I really like Washington-Liberty because it is such an inclusive school. Students of many different race, ethnicities, religions, etc can all find ways to be involved in this school. There are many clubs and programs that Washington-Liberty offers where students can actively participate in. If you're struggling in school, teachers at Washington-Liberty will help support you all the way through. That's also one of the good things about the school. There are many teachers and mentors (possibly students), who are there to guide you if you ever need any kind of support. Everyone is super nice and respectful and would be glad to help in any way they can!... Read 562 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,436

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  603 reviews

Alum: There was lots to enjoy about West Springfield high school. I always enjoyed coming to school and spending the day with my friends whilst knowing I am going to receive the highest quality of education on a daily basis. When I was a junior and a senior, the teachers did not apply much pressure on their students, making the students fully responsible of their own work and letting us decide when to turn in our assignments. This helped me excel and put less pressure on me as a student, knowing the primary goal of my teachers were to help us learn and not stress and cheat to receive high grades. There was not much to dislike about this school. One thing I wished would improve is the school culture. There is a hefty amount of bullying across all grades. The kids that are bullied do not seem to have much help from the school. The school talks about not bullying, but do not provide much action. Other than that, I had a great experience and wish I could relive these amazing four years!... Read 603 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,508

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  466 reviews

Senior: I really like how inclusive the school is. I am a part of the leadership team at Freedom and find that they include the student body in so much of their decisions involving the students. The SCA does an amazing job of making all school events fun and open to everyone! There are so many clubs to be a part of and if you want to start a club, they make it so easy! All the teachers and staff are so welcoming and genuinely care about the students! Freedom has also been a part of many pilot programs including the Mental Health First-Aid program with the Born This Way foundation and the Unified Sports programs! Overall, the experience that I have had while at Freedom has been amazing and I can truly say that being a student at Freedom has helped me become the person I am today!... Read 466 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,120

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  581 reviews

Niche User: Lake Braddock holds a high reputation for itself. There is a diverse selection of classes, including academy classes that allow students more variety in their education. Their staff lacks the ability to effectively help students prepare for graduation; accepting late-work, receiving 50%s on absent assignments, and dismissing the lack of effort put into each class. Teachers struggle with the strict curriculum code because of how lenient the school was with grades. Students participated in fist fights frequently, and bullying was rampant among the middle and high schoolers. Overall, I think this school could improve with it's social culture, as well as returning to normal with grading expectations.... Read 581 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,360

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  396 reviews

Senior: The among the strongest aspect of Broad Run is the student culture. There are many pockets of different groups and its easy for people to find people that are like them. The atmosphere is not overly competitive, and the academics are top tier. The teachers are great although there are a select few that some people have trouble with. In my own experience, they genuinely care about your success (at least, in regards to the class itself) or are pretty funny. Additionally, the school has 50+ years of history that gives it a strong identity. The student body is arguably the most diverse of the Loudoun county high schools. My only complaints about the school are small. The building is old despite the renovations. I hear some complaints from the theater kids that the stage tech is not amazing as a result. Secondly, the support from the counselor staff regarding scholarship and internship opportunities is weak compared to say, the Academies of Loudoun. That may be an unfair comparison tho... Read 396 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,582

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1