U.S. News Ranks Fairfax County STEM School First in Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in the Fairfax County area of Alexandria is again ranked the best high school in Virginia, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The annual list of best high schools in the country ranks the schools on national and state levels.

Overall, the school ranked 6th best high school in the country, down one place from last year. However, the school jump to 2nd best science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) school in the country, after being third in 2016.

Subscribe to get Virginia Patch News Alerts and a newsletter. Plus, iPhone users can download the Patch app in the App Store.

In the school profile, U.S. News says, "Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology uses a STEM-focused curriculum that starts with the Integrated Biology, English and Technology program and culminates with a technical lab project for seniors. The school boasts more than 10 specialized research labs, ranging from astrophysics to oceanography."

The top high 10 schools in Virginia are as follows, according to U.S. News:

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria (National Rank: 6)
2. McLean High School, McLean (National Rank: 153)
3. Langley High School, McLean (National Rank: 180)
4. Oakton High School, Vienna (National Rank: 198)
5. Woodson High School, Fairfax (National Rank: 205)
6. Yorktown High School, Arlington (National Rank: 225)
7. Stone Bridge High School, Ashburn (National Rank: 243)
8. West Springfield Road, Springfield (National Rank: 261)
9. Briar Woods High School, Ashburn (National Rank: 327)
10. Dominion High School, Sterling (National Rank: 342)

The top high schools in the country are as follows, according to U.S. News:

1. BASIS Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona
2. BASIS Tucson North, Tucson, Arizona
3. BASIS Oro Valley, Oro Valley, Arizona
4. School for the Talented and Gifted, Dallas, Texas
5. BASIS Peoria, Peoria, Arizona
6. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia
7. Basis Chandler, Chandler, Arizona
8. Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, Texas
9. School of Science and Engineering, Dallas, Texas
10. Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz, California

Click here to see the full list.

U.S. News assigned schools medals for their college readiness, based on graduation rates and state test scores. TJHSST earned a gold medal with 100 percent college readiness and a 99 percent graduation rate. Fifteen Virginia high schools were given gold medals by U.S. News, 39 received silver medals and the remaining 27 schools received bronze medals.

Compared with other states, Virginia came in 11th, with 16.9 percent of the state’s schools receiving silver or gold medals.

Image via Patch archive