Photo: Beltway Photos · CC BY 2.0McLean’s public schools outscore 74% of Virginia districts
The grade covers the public school district serving McLean, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 61% of McLean’s students scored proficient, above the Virginia average (54%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.
From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when about 8 in 10 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.
McLean’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 38 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of McLean’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 74% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,064 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Langley School (private), The Madeira School (private), St. John the Beloved Academy (private), St. Luke Catholic School (private), Montessori School of McLean (private), Ambleside School (private), Brooksfield School (private) and McLean Children's Academy (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.
What’s behind McLean’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Virginia school districts, #63 of 250 Virginia towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Virginia average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve McLean, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in McLean · depends on your address
Longfellow Middle
Grades 7–8 · 1,226 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Falls Church
Cooper Middle
Grades 7–8 · 997 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in McLean · depends on your address
Longfellow Middle
Grades 7–8 · 1,226 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Falls Church
Cooper Middle
Grades 7–8 · 997 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in McLean · depends on your address
McLean High
Grades 9–12 · 2,428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Langley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,181 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in McLean · depends on your address
McLean High
Grades 9–12 · 2,428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Langley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,181 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in McLean · depends on your address
McLean High
Grades 9–12 · 2,428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Langley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,181 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in McLean · depends on your address
McLean High
Grades 9–12 · 2,428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Langley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,181 students · 18:1 students per teacher
McLean’s public schools are run by Fairfax County Public Schools, which also serves Clifton, Herndon and Vienna. 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.
How students score
McLean vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share McLean’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| McLean | B+ | Fairfax County |
| Falls Church | A+ | Falls Church City |
Every school in McLean
19 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).
Questions about McLean’s schools
Are McLean’s schools good?
By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools McLean children attend outscore 74% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #63 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is McLean in?
Fairfax County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 179,323 students in 199 schools (2024–25).
Where do McLean kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: McLean High and Langley High.
What is McLean’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Fairfax County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does McLean spend per student?
$20,064 in Fairfax County Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in McLean?
Yes: The Langley School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 533 students), The Madeira School (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 9–12, 335 students), St. John the Beloved Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 301 students), St. Luke Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 265 students), Montessori School of McLean (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 221 students), Ambleside School (religious, grades K–8, 134 students), Brooksfield School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 117 students) and McLean Children's Academy (nonsectarian, grades , 30 students).
Parents talk
What McLean families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near McLean → 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.