📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (SOL 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Virginia: 16 Rated Districts
SOL 2024–25 · percentile among Virginia districts
| Rank in VA | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Falls Church City Public Schools | Falls Church | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #2 | Loudoun County Public Schools | Ashburn | 10/10 Excellent | 90th |
| #3 | Arlington County Public Schools | Arlington | 9/10 Excellent | 81st |
| #4 | Fairfax County Public Schools | Falls Church | 8/10 Good | 78th |
| #5 | Prince William County Public Schools | Manassas | 7/10 Good | 68th |
| #6 | Clarke County Public Schools | Berryville | 7/10 Good | 62nd |
| #7 | Fauquier County Public Schools | Warrenton | 6/10 Average | 53rd |
| #8 | Rappahannock County Public Schools | Washington | 6/10 Average | 50th |
| #9 | Stafford County Public Schools | Stafford | 5/10 Average | 47th |
| #10 | Warren County Public Schools | Front Royal | 4/10 Below Average | 38th |
| #11 | Culpeper County Public Schools | Culpeper | 4/10 Below Average | 36th |
| #12 | Spotsylvania County Public Schools | Fredericksburg | 4/10 Below Average | 31st |
| #13 | Alexandria City Public Schools | Alexandria | 2/10 Poor | 10th |
| #14 | Manassas City Public Schools | Manassas | 1/10 Poor | 9th |
| #15 | Manassas Park City Public Schools | Manassas Park | 1/10 Poor | 9th |
| #16 | Fredericksburg City Public Schools | Fredericksburg | 1/10 Poor | 5th |
Maryland: 4 Rated Districts
MCAP 2024–25 · percentile among Maryland districts
| Rank in MD | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Frederick County Public Schools | Frederick | 9/10 Excellent | 86th |
| #2 | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville | 8/10 Good | 78th |
| #3 | Charles County Public Schools | La Plata | 3/10 Below Average | 26th |
| #4 | Prince George's County Public Schools | Upper Marlboro | 2/10 Poor | 14th |
District of Columbia: 1 Rated Districts
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among District of Columbia districts
| Rank in DC | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia Public Schools | Washington | 8/10 Good | 76th |
West Virginia: 1 Rated Districts
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among West Virginia districts
| Rank in WV | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Jefferson County School District | Charles Town | 8/10 Good | 72nd |
Best School Districts in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area (2026)
This metro area crosses state lines, so it is shown as one table per state. Each state rates its districts on its own test, and a 9/10 in one state is not comparable with a 9/10 in another.
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from SOL 2024–25 (Virginia); MCAP 2024–25 (Maryland); EDFacts 2021–22 (District of Columbia); EDFacts 2021–22 (West Virginia) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Virginia part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area? ▼
Among the 16 rated districts in the Virginia part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the highest-rated is Falls Church City Public Schools (Falls Church), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 99th percentile of Virginia districts on SOL 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
What is the best-rated school district in the Maryland part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area? ▼
Among the 4 rated districts in the Maryland part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the highest-rated is Frederick County Public Schools (Frederick), rated 9/10 (Excellent) and in the 86th percentile of Maryland districts on MCAP 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
What is the best-rated school district in the District of Columbia part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area? ▼
Among the 1 rated districts in the District of Columbia part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the highest-rated is District of Columbia Public Schools (Washington), rated 8/10 (Good) and in the 76th percentile of District of Columbia districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
What is the best-rated school district in the West Virginia part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area? ▼
Among the 1 rated districts in the West Virginia part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the highest-rated is Jefferson County School District (Charles Town), rated 8/10 (Good) and in the 72nd percentile of West Virginia districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
Can I compare districts across state lines here? ▼
No. Each state uses its own assessment, so ratings and percentiles are only comparable among districts in the same state. Full methodology here.