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Condo building in downtown Falls ChurchPhoto: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0
A+
Schools in Falls Church · Falls Church City Public Schools

Falls Church’s public schools outscore 98% of Virginia districts

On the state math tests, 84% of Falls Church’s students scored proficient, above the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Falls Church, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.

#2of 250 Virginia townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Math proficiency
84%
▲ 30 pts vs VA 54%
2020–21
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 7 pts vs VA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$24.4K
▲ 42% vs VA $17.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.1
VA 13.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
2,671 students on the public path
In brief

Falls Church’s schools, in brief

Spending and class size

The district spends $24,433 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Oak Street Elementary, then Mary Ellen Henderson Middle, then Meridian High. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. James Catholic School (private), Falls Church Episcopal Day School (private) and Acton Academy Falls Church (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Falls Church’s grade

A+ Test scoresA Graduation

A+: better than 98% of Virginia school districts, #2 of 250 Virginia towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Virginia average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Virginia school districts we grade (133)Better than 98%
Lower resultsHigher results
Virginia towns with similar household incomes (114)Better than 99%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,271 test results and a graduating class of 203 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2021, when nearly all of Falls Church’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,271 students).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Falls Church, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–2Mount Daniel ElementaryFalls Church City Public SchoolsNo scores
3–5Oak Street ElementaryFalls Church City Public SchoolsA+
6–8Mary Ellen Henderson MiddleFalls Church City Public SchoolsA
9–12Meridian HighFalls Church City Public SchoolsA+

Falls Church’s public schools are run by Falls Church City Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Falls Church City Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,671 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 13.1 per teacher (VA 13.9)
$24,433VA $17,169 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2020–21

How students score

Math84%
State average 54.4% · 1271 students tested

Falls Church vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Falls Church’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Falls ChurchA+Falls Church City

Every school in Falls Church

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Falls Churchby address
Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
73 students9:1Rate it →
Oak Street Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5
A+
587 students13:1Rate it →
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
632 students14:1Rate it →
Meridian High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
893 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Falls Churchin other towns
Mount Daniel Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–2
486 students13:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. James Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
491 students18:1Rate it →
Falls Church Episcopal Day School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Religious
110 studentsRate it →
Acton Academy Falls Church
Elementary · Grades PK–7
Private · Religious
35 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Falls Church’s schools

Are Falls Church’s schools good?

By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Falls Church children attend outscore 98% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #2 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Falls Church in?

Falls Church City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,671 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Falls Church kids go to high school?

Meridian High, with 893 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Falls Church’s graduation rate?

96% of the class of 2023 in Falls Church City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.

How much does Falls Church spend per student?

$24,433 in Falls Church City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Falls Church?

Yes: St. James Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 491 students), Falls Church Episcopal Day School (religious, grades PK–K, 110 students) and Acton Academy Falls Church (religious, grades PK–7, 35 students).

Parents talk

What Falls Church families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Falls Church → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.