- Enrollment
- 4,411
- Students per teacher
- 17:1
- Resource Index
- 57/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Lorton, VA
South County Middle
Federal NCES profile for South County Middle, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 60/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 510126002871
👥 S:T ratio 36
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 62
📋 Attendance 72
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South County Middle earns 60/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 82% of Virginia schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Virginia schools.
- #1 of 5
- public schools in Lorton · Resource Index
- 60
- Resource Index · Higher
- 16:1
- large classes for Virginia
- 19.9%
- free-lunch eligible
South County Middle has class sizes larger than 82% of Virginia schools. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South County Middle ranks #1 of 5 public schools in Lorton, VA.
School address
District: Fairfax County Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510126002871 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+16 students YoY
South County Middle held near 967 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+16 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 59.3 → 72.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+16 students YoY 510126002871 · Lorton, VA Middle · MID · TRAD
943 enr · 16:1 · 19.9% lunch · RII 60
Nearest enrollment peer: Lake Braddock Secondary (4,411 students)
South County Middle held near 967 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+16 headcount). Teacher FTE added 59.3 → 72.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
South County Middle in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Lake Braddock
Lake Braddock Secondary
4,411 students
- Robinson Secon
Robinson Secondary
3,710 students
- Hayfield Secon
Hayfield Secondary
3,256 students
- Chantilly High
Chantilly High
2,937 students
- West Springfie
West Springfield High
2,799 students
- This school 943
South County Middle
943 students
What this shows South County Middle reports 943 students on the CCD universe file.
How South County Middle compares
South County Middle held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 16:1 | ▲ 15% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 19.9% | ▼ 65% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 943 | top 17% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
16:1
Leaner classes than 38% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
943
Bigger than 90% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
19.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 65% below the Virginia average of 57.6%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
16:1
students per teacher
- 15% above state mean
Top 82% in Virginia - lower ratio than 18% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
11.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$18,975
per pupil, district-wide
- above Virginia avg of $15,892
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors5.0 FTE
Per 189 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
29
in-school suspensions + 44 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 3.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 2 expulsions.
Student demographics
White 40.6%
African American 19.2%
Asian 16.1%
Hispanic or Latino 15.5%
Two or More 8.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
Largest group: White at 40.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 74.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 74.1, South County Middle is more mixed than the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Fairfax County Public Schools reports $18,975 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South County Middle Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Braddock Secondary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Robinson Secondary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Hayfield Secondary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Chantilly High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| West Springfield High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South County Middle's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 3,710
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 54/100
- Enrollment
- 3,256
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
- Enrollment
- 2,937
- Students per teacher
- 16.2:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 2,799
- Students per teacher
- 18.5:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~943 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~16:1)
Frequently asked questions about South County Middle
How many students attend South County Middle?
South County Middle has 943 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Lorton, VA. CCD year-over-year: 951 (2022-23) → 967 (2023-24), nearly flat (+16).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South County Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South County Middle is 16:1, which is 15% higher than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 2% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South County Middle?
19.9% of students at South County Middle are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South County Middle?
The largest demographic group at South County Middle is White at 40.6% of enrollment, in Lorton, VA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 74.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South County Middle?
South County Middle has a Resource Investment Index of 60/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South County Middle rank among public schools in Lorton?
By Resource Investment Index, South County Middle ranks #1 of 5 public schools in Lorton, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Lorton on the city page.
What other schools are in Fairfax County Public Schools?
Besides South County Middle, Fairfax County Public Schools also operates Lake Braddock Secondary (4,411 students), Robinson Secondary (3,710 students), and Hayfield Secondary (3,256 students). See the Fairfax County Public Schools district page for the complete list.