South Lakes High School is a public high school in Reston, Virginia, United States. The school serves grades 9-12 for the Fairfax County Public Schools.
Serving 2,434 students in grades 9-12, South Lakes High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 50-54% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,434 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 30% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 50-54% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 74% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
South Lakes High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Diversity
Student Attention
School Overview
South Lakes High School's student population of 2,434 students has declined by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 208 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,434 students
Total Classroom Teachers
208 teachers
Year Founded
1978
Colors
Blue/Green
School Calendar
School Rankings
South Lakes High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Lakes High School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1363 out of 1773 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)60-64%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)74%
59%
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
Asian
10%
8%
Hispanic
29%
20%
Black
13%
21%
White
40%
44%
Two or more races
8%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
93%
89%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)23.1%
19.1%
Eligible for Free Lunch
30%
57%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
2%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Osprey
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Lakes High School's ranking?
South Lakes High School is ranked #1363 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
50-54% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of South Lakes High School?
The graduation rate of South Lakes High School is 93%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend South Lakes High School?
2,434 students attend South Lakes High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
40% of South Lakes High School students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Black, 10% of students are Asian, and 8% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of South Lakes High School?
South Lakes High School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does South Lakes High School offer ?
South Lakes High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is South Lakes High School part of?
South Lakes High School is part of Fairfax County School District.
School Reviews
Review South Lakes High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
