• Niche.com compiled the top 10 schools in the D.C. metro based on student and parent reviews, test scores, college readiness, graduation rates and teacher quality.
  • Six of the top 10 schools are in Virginia.
Classroom

image via Shutterstock

Homebuyer needs and wants aren’t universal, but those with children share at least one of the same demands: good schools.

Niche.com provides thousands of reviews, polls and data on schools throughout the nation, which are then used to rank the top Washington D.C.-area public school districts, basing it on student and parent reviews, state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores and teacher quality.

The preeminent school zones near the nation’s capital technically fall in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Arlington County Public Schools

At no. 1 in both Virginia and the D.C. metro, Arlington County Public Schools includes 37 separate institutions for 23,449 students. It scored an A+ in all seven categories except sports and fitness, for which it received and A-.

Falls Church City Public Schools

In Virginia, Falls Church City Public Schools  ranked no. 2 in the state and the D.C. metro   has four schools and 2,426 students. It received at least an A in all categories besides student culture and diversity, for which it scored a B.

Montgomery County Public Schools

Montgomery County Public Schools in Potomac, Maryland, holds 207 schools and 151,295 students, ages pre-k through 12th grade. It ranks no. 2 in Maryland and third among D.C. metro school districts, receiving a combined rating of 3.8/5 among parents and students.

Loudoun County Public Schools

Another Virginia district, Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn has 86 schools and over 70,000 students. Loudoun County Public Schools stands at no. 4 in the metro, scoring at least an A in all seven categories.

Fairfax County Public Schools

With 218 schools and 183,417 students, Fairfax County Public Schools in Great Falls, Virginia, ranks fourth in the state and fifth in the metro. The district scored an A+ in both academics and student culture and diversity.

Alexandria City Public Schools

Alexandria City Public Schools has 19 schools and over 13,000 students. The district is no. 6 in the metro and seventh in Virginia, receiving at least an A in every category except health and safety, for which it scored a B+.

Frederick County Public Schools

As the third best district in Maryland and eighth best in the D.C. area, Frederick County Public Schools holds 67 schools and over 40,000 students. The district scored a combined 4/5 rating from parents and students.

Calvert County Public Schools

Calvert County in Huntingtown, Maryland, contains 26 schools and over 16,000 students. It’s rated no. 8 in the D.C. metro and no. 4 in Maryland, receiving at least a B in all categories except health and safety, for which it scored a C+.

Gettysburg Area School District

The only Pennsylvania district in the top 10 list is Gettysburg Area School District, which includes five schools and over 3,000 students. Gettysburg in Franklin Township is 80th in the state of Pennsylvania, receiving a combined score of 4/5 from parents and students.

Prince William County Public Schools

Last but not least, Prince William County Public Schools in Buckhall, Virginia, ranks 10th best in the metro and 16th in Virginia. The district contains 89 schools and over 85,000 students, scoring highest in academics (A-) and student culture and diversity (A+).

Email Jennifer Riner

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×