2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Virginia

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1520

• Average ACT 35

• Richmond, VA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  150 reviews

Junior: MLWGS is a wonderful place, and I could not have made a better decision than to come here. The teachers are so talented and engaging, and they make learning truly enjoyable. Contrary to popular belief, MLWGS isn't only good for its international studies or social studies classes—it has fantastic STEM and arts programs, as well, and the students have really diverse passions and strengths. What we DO have in common is that most of us are nerds... but our athletic programs are fantastic, and our football team is undefeated (lol)! If you're the type of student who likes challenging yourself with rigorous classes and expanding your worldview through exploring various extracurriculars (from Quiz Bowl to Bhangra), this is the school for you, and you will find students and faculty who share your interests and are willing to support you in all of your undertakings. And don't be scared off by rumors about the rigor—the workload is super manageable, and teachers are really understanding.... Read 150 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1410

• Average ACT 32

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  272 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 272 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 31

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 30

• Henrico County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  502 reviews

Sophomore: I've lived around here my entire life and love the community. We have specialty centers here, so most of your middle school friends end up in different high schools in the area, and Deep Run is one of the places we all go to hang out. The teachers and administrators and amazing and are very helpful! Though this year was virtual, everything turned out to be amazing. Clubs and Sports are lovely here at Deep Run. I am part of many different clubs and play volleyball for school. In all Deep Run is overall a great school and has a wonderful community!... Read 502 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 28

• Falls Church City Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  164 reviews

Senior: Overall a pretty good high school. Its academic programs are excellent, with many different opportunities and extracurriculars for students. However, the environment is very competitive and tired, and I predict it will only worsen as the school looks to go all IB. The teachers and students are, well, people, some are amazing, and some are not. It really is is what you make of it, and who you meet. The school is also good with 504 plans and accommodations for students. The worst is the building, which feels very corporate and dull, not like a school at all, almost like an airport. Appliances and features (like the elevator) of the building also seem to be frequently breaking despite being new.... Read 164 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  104 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 104 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 28

• Montgomery County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  233 reviews

Senior: Blacksburg High School was an amazing school to grow, nurture, and learn who I truly was. The environment (for the most part) is incredibly friendly and welcoming, with a very diverse set of people with unique backgrounds, interests, and experiences that make for a varied learning environment. The staff there (again, for the most part) feel like they care not only about you learning the information and doing well in their class, but also getting to know you better as a person and understanding your background. All of the arts programs that I took throughout my high school years (choir, theatre, and graphic imaging) were extremely well-ran with very hardworking teachers and solid budgets provided by the school. Overall, Blacksburg High School is an incredibly competent school that hosts caring staff, a mostly positive school culture, and just a general sense of caring and spirit.... Read 233 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 29

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  555 reviews

Alum: Stone Bridge High School had amazing teachers as well as great extracurricular activities! It was very easy to make friends and everyone was very welcoming. One thing I would like to see change is the food there as it was subpar, even for school's standards.... Read 555 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 28

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  216 reviews

Senior: I really like the friends that I have made at this school. The building is also really clean and nice. Technology is up to date, and there are a lot of opportunities for students. I also really like the clubs and programs that are displayed for students. Compared to some other schools, John Champe has a lot of clubs, programs, and courses that are available. Sometimes, some teachers aren't the best at teaching, but there are also other great teachers as well. The school spirit isn't really that amazing either, but the staff still tries to get the students to participate. Overall, this school is very nice and I'd be happy to write a positive review about it.... Read 216 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 28

• 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+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 28

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  409 reviews

Senior: Centreville High School makes traditional core classes fun with its access to advanced technology and equipment, like microscopes, dissection kits, TI-84+ calculators, personal student computers, and more. CVHS also has its own unique classes, such as LGBTQ+ English Studies, African American History, and Symphony classes. And the classes are diverse. There have been times in my life when I’ve been the only person of color in a crowded room. At CVHS, this has never been the case. Student engagement in lessons, friendly teachers, and comfortable classrooms impacts education, which CVHS understands to be true. This is why it hires faculty that care to help their students succeed, allows teachers to decorate their classrooms with fairy lights and couches, and ensures lesson plans engage students. It’s not unusual for a teacher to take fifteen minutes to walk me through a tough physics problem, for me to write an essay on a couch, or for me to engage in fun learning games in Spanish.... Read 409 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 29

• 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+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 28

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  456 reviews

Senior: Being a student throughout Fairfax in all 4 years, I've really enjoyed my school life here. Though, when it came to the teachers, there was mixed feelings about each individual one. I've had teachers who neglected the way they teach resulting in grades going down in their class as a whole and others who would go above and beyond for their students. But, the pros outweigh the cons. Everyone in the school is so welcoming and lively; I never felt out of place. There's so many options for sports, extra curriculars, anything! I hope you have a great time at Fairfax High School just as I did.... Read 456 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 29

• Albemarle County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  354 reviews

Senior: The Education at Albemarle High School is better when compared to some. Teachers are willing to sacrifice time for kids to get them to understand what they need to. If you wanted to get a good education, there was no doubt that you could get one at Albemarle High School. Most of the teachers are alumni and share similar experiences with kids. The sports at Albemarle High school very interactive, Festive football games and tailgates, homecoming, spirit week, basketball games, and other sports. The community expresses patriot pride at every event. The various clubs and outside organizations give kids a chance to be able to explore anything and everything they desire. From outside organization that provide transportation for CATEC (Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center), Monticello High School, as well as many others. I have loved attending Albemarle High School.... Read 354 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 30

• Albemarle County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  197 reviews

Freshman: Personally, I love Western Albemarle. The people are great and all my teachers teach well. It’s really easy to make friends and most everybody is welcoming. The only thing bad about it is the lack of diversity. I would guess that Western is 95% white, if not more. There isn’t really a way to change that, but compared to the schools in Charlottesville there are is a lot less diversity. The school lacks the opportunities to meet people that are different than you and learn from them. The cons of the school are there, but are minor. Overall, I love Western!... Read 197 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 29