McLean Schools Among Best High Schools In Virginia: Niche 2023 Ranking

MCLEAN, VA — McLean schools were named among the best high schools in Virginia, according to the Niche Best Schools rankings for 2023 announced Tuesday.

In the annual rankings, Niche evaluates 92,743 public schools, 30,112 private schools, and 11,820 school districts in the U.S., seeking to provide families with information on schools in their area. According to Niche, school rankings aren't solely based on academic achievement. The rankings incorporate reviews provided by current and former students and families. Schools are also graded in areas like extracurricular activities, resources, and facilities, teachers, school administration, diversity and more using data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education.

The number one spot in the private high school category in Virginia went to BASIS Independent McLean, which serves age 2 to 12th grade as part of the BASIS Curriculum Schools network.

"These rankings are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, and students," said Jason Shorbe, head of school at BASIS Independent McLean, in a statement to Patch. "However, we don't strive for Niche rankings. We are not a great school because of the recognition we receive, rather, we receive recognition because we are a great school."

The school earned A+ grades from Niche in academics, teachers and college prep, C for clubs and activities and C- for sports.

Following BASIS Independent McLean was the Madeira School in second place. The boarding school for girls earned A+ grades for academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity and college prep and a B+ for sports.

The Potomac School, a K-12 school in McLean, ranked third. It earned A+ grades in academics, teachers, clubs and activities, and college prep, A- in diversity and B+ in sports.

In the public high school category, McLean High School was ranked third. Niche gave the school A+ grades in the categories of academics and college prep, A for teachers, and A- for clubs and activities, sports, diversity, and administration. The school earned B- for resources and facilities and C- for food.

McLean's other public high school, Langley High School, was ranked fourth. The school received A+ grades for academics and college prep, A for teachers and sports, A- for clubs and activities, B+ for resources and facilities, diversity, and administration, and C+ for food.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, also part of Fairfax County Public Schools, was ranked the top public high school in the state and seventh in the U.S.

Full Niche school rankings are available here and can be searched by state and metropolitan area.