Oakton High School ranked No. 8 in Virginia and No. 345 nationally in U.S. News & World Report's 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings. James Madison High School landed just outside the top 10 at No. 11 in the state and No. 520 nationally.

The rankings arrived alongside strong division-wide test results. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students passed state reading and math exams at an 80% rate in 2026. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released the Standards of Learning (SOL) annual pass rates on Tuesday, Aug. 25, showing FCPS outpacing the state average by six points in reading and seven in math.

FCPS's science pass rate hit 76%, five points above Virginia's 71%.

Six FCPS high schools placed in Virginia's top 10: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology at No. 1 in the state and No. 6 in the nation, Langley (No. 4), McLean (No. 6), Woodson (No. 7), Oakton (No. 8) and Marshall (No. 9).

The division's math pass rate has climbed 19 percentage points since 2021, when it stood at 61%. FCPS said its year-over-year gains between 2025 and 2026 exceeded statewide improvements for nearly every student group in all three subjects. The district is also expanding early algebra access, with sixth graders now taking Algebra I in elementary schools.

"We have seen tremendous success in our students who are accessing Algebra I by eighth grade … Now, we are expanding access even earlier, with sixth graders taking Algebra 1 in our elementary schools," Superintendent Michelle Reid said in the Aug. 25 results announcement.

At Oakton, 77% of students participate in Advanced Placement courses. At Madison, that figure is 80%, according to U.S. News data.

Community conversations start Sept. 16

Reid is launching a series of Community Conversations at elementary schools across the division. The first session is Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6:45 p.m. at McNair Elementary School. Most sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted, run one hour and include childcare and interpretation services.

Additional dates:

  • Monday, Sept. 28, at Riverside Elementary
  • Monday, Oct. 19, at Spring Hill Elementary
  • Monday, Oct. 26, at Beech Tree Elementary
  • Thursday, Oct. 29, at North Springfield Elementary
  • Friday, Nov. 13, at Powell Elementary

Registration links had not been posted as of the Sept. 2 FCPS newsletter. Families can check the FCPS website for updates.