The Fairfax County School District

Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is officially called the County of Fairfax, based on older naming conventions. With an estimated 2015 population of 1,142,000, Fairfax is also the most populated jurisdiction in the entire Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. With a county that big, it's no wonder that the Fairfax County Public School District is the 10th largest in the country, presiding over 198 schools and educational centers. The headquarters for the school district is located in the Gatehouse Administration Center in Merrifield, which is near Falls Church. From Merrifield, the school district manages a complex and large school district with one of the the largest private bus fleets in the U.S., transporting students on more than 1,600 buses each day.

And these schools? They are wonderful. This is an extremely wealthy area: Fairfax was the first county in the United States to reach a six-figure median household income, and is currently has the second-highest median household income in America, right behind neighboring Loudoun County. Perhaps it's the diversity of employment, but the school district is also very diverse. In the county, 64 percent of students are White or Hispanic, with Asian American the next most populous demographic at 19 percent. African Americans make up 10 percent of the school district and five percent are multiracial.

Schools throughout the county offer a number of advance placement options like AP and IB classes. No matter which area you choose in Fairfax County, the schools will challenge your students and offer unprecedented opportunities for success. The county boasts . Even more, the Washington Post has recognized the county's high schools as being among the most challenging in the U.S. The list of stats are impressive; Fairfax County is home to hundreds of National Merit Semifinalists every year, and 93% of high school graduates pursue higher education. 

It's not just about the schools either. By buying real estate the Fairfax County School District, you're also buying a lifestyle with a high quality of life for residents. There's a lot on offer for families moving to the area. The county took its name from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, who was the only member of British nobility to ever reside in the colonies. Some of the oldest extant settlements in Fairfax were established around this time, including George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. Fairfax appears in history books as an important site during the Civil War. The Battle of Chantilly, which was part of the same campaign as the Second Battle of Bull Run, was fought there. As the federal government grew in the wake of World War II, so did Fairfax. Suburban communities popped up like wildflowers in what was once a rural county. The building of Tysons Corner Center was another important milestone for the county, bringing the attraction of retail and commerce. This shopping center is the cornerstone of life for many residents. It bustles with activity year round, and families are most often found in the ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants. 

When living within Fairfax County, many of your neighbors will work for the government. This county is very much on the national radar, being home to several major government agencies. These include the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and National Reconnaissance Office, as well as the National Counterterrorism Center and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. All of these are major employers for Fairfax County residents. And then there’s the fact that no less than ten Fortune 500 companies call the county home, including three in Falls Church alone. Professional services and technology constitute most of the jobs in Fairfax, with the single largest employer being Fort Belvoir. 

It's a prosperous county, and that wealth bubbles over into the schools too. If you're moving to Virginia with young ones in tow, then you can't do much better than Fairfax county. With a strong school system and many beautiful homes, Fairfax County could be just the place for you and your family!