Fairfax County Public Schools operates 198 schools. Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Fairfax County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 180,000 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 198 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $16,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Suburban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
About Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools serves zip code 22151, covering Springfield, Virginia with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Fairfax County Public Schools spends approximately $16,000 per student per year, placing it 19% above the Virginia state average of approximately $13,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 198 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Fairfax County Public Schools qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 180,000 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Fairfax County Public Schools ranks among Virginia’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Fairfax County Public Schools earns an above-average rating, reflecting stronger-than-typical resource levels and stable enrollment trends for Virginia. Above-average districts generally offer solid program variety, adequate staffing, and a track record of organizational stability. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 22151
Children in zip code 22151 are assigned to Fairfax County Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 22151, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Fairfax County Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Virginia districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Springfield
For families considering a purchase in the Springfield area, district assignment matters financially. Because Fairfax County Public Schools serves zip code 22151, homes in and around zip code 22151 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Virginia, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Fairfax County Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 22151.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Fairfax County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 22151 data.