South County High School

I love SoCo. A lot of the teachers do care that you should exceed in life, and many are inspirational. There are a lot of sports here, and many students get scholarships. There is so much school spirit and love here. But we do have are count for bullies, but they won't bother you unless you bother them. I can't wait for my next 2 years.
—Submitted by a student

I went to this high school. It is a most mediocre schools high school. The staff is average. The student are not bright. And the only thing that is rewarded is desperation. The anti-intellectual atmosphere of the school generated by the anti-intellectual families that surround its campus ensure that South County remain inept. Compared to schools like Lake Braddock or McLean HIgh, South County does not add up. Pert of this, again, is the anti-intellectual environment of the areas surrounding South County. That the majority of Lorton parents do not work in academia or jobs where a Masters degree is required, most students are raised as if Virginia colleges were the best in the world. In reality, even UVA is still a large public college and is ranked the no.1 party school in the country.
—Submitted by a student

This school is the best. My daugher went to an Ivy League College after attending South County. The teachers are the best, they make your work hard and create a great learning environment
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 4 graduates in 6 years at SCSS and have been VERY pleased with the teachers, community and academic options for my sons. The teachers care so much and one of my 2 were in the gifted side and 1 in special needs... they advocated for them on both sides of the academic spectrum.
—Submitted by a parent

SCSS is an awful school full of bullys. I feel sorry for my teachers. My classes were full of hateful students who could not keep their bullying in the hallways and would bring disputes loudly into the classroom. Obviously, administration is unresponsive to teacher's "referrals" of student's outrageous behaviors and it appears little is done to support teachers who are having trouble with what seems to be 'gangs' of unruly students who take over classrooms and make it impossible to teach. Those who want to learn, can't. Principals play favorites. I know for a fact that certain principals coddle and pacify students who they should be expelling for insubordination with cokes and free passes to leave the teacher's class if they became upset with him for in class reprimands or discipline. How do I know? These "bad' students laugh and joke about it. They even throw it back at the teacher when they return to class in front of everyone. Several of my favorite teachers resigned last year because of this schoolwide meanness. I feel sorry for the students and the teachers who are subjected to this outrageous and cruel school environment on a daily basis.

I hate this school! The teachers are rude and always watch you as if you are about to go crazy and if they see u trade papers with a friend to help them they act as if you are cheating which really you are showing them how to do something not saying 2 X 2 = 4. The gym teachers are only the sane ones there and only a few are good. If you ever want to survive in this school or even have a Chance oh wait you will not!If you know whats right THAN DON'T GO TO THIS SCHOOL!

The fact is Fairfax county schools are some of the best in the nation. South County is one of the best schools in Fairfax County ranking in the top half of the county in test scores with those scores trending up. In all my years of attending I have seen no issue with the school covering up anything that makes them look bad and I have seen very little teachers being disrespectful. The only problem I have with the school is the students. Just to put it out there for parents complaining maybe its not the teachers who are the problem maybe it's your student. Students are given every opportunity to succeed and some don't take it. The majority of complaints I hear come from students who are the problem. I will guarantee you that I have spent more time with the teachers of this school than any parent and I find it disgusting that they are being attacked in many reviews.

i go to this school now ,hate it i want to move so bad and this is only my second year there .

South County was ill planned from the start. Its purpose was to relieve Hayfield from overcrowding, but the boundaries were messed up from the start, taking neighborhoods not assigned to Hayfield even though the purpose was to fix Hayfield's problem. The school ended up opening overcrowded. They had to split up the boundaries twice to fix this issue. The boundary is fragmented to the point where you are live in a South County area but your neighbor does not. Teacher quality is extremely poor. They don't care or they play the favorites game. There are a handful of teachers that actually try to help, but the rest act as if it was a dead end job. Security is very unjust and biased. Some people get a slap on the wrist while others get an iron fist. The administrators are the same way. The administrators also don't know much about what's going on with the students and turn a blind eye when beneficial. There's too much harassment and disrespect within the student body. Too many rumors go around and too many people instigate for no reason. Overall, this is the FCPS school to avoid, I would know because I was there from 2005 to 2009. I visited this year, and things have not changed.

I really like South County. My oldest went there her Junior and Senior year and my younger daughter is in eight grade. I appreciate the time and consideration that the teachers give to the students. She loves it there! The honars classes are great! Yes it is crowded, but the positive learning environment makes up for it, We are a military family, and I am hoping that my daughter can continue there for years to come. Way to go Stallions!
—Submitted by a parent

My daugter went this school for one year. Over croweded is a big problem because it generates poor staffing, poor support, and unprofessional skills of handling student's matter. Administration statts are terrible. I asked them to fax documents 3 times in advance, still had trouble. Teachers are all overloaded.
—Submitted by a parent

This fairly new school is filled with mediocre teachers who are focused on getting through SOL material and not focused on anything that falls under any other category. For example, teachers make comments while teaching, asking the children if they understand and then follows up with a comment that they don't have time for them to understand! The math department is week and the reputation in the community is that the school is disorganized and without a parent being on top of every move, a child will be lost to the system. This is disheartening in a county that has gotten glowing results nationally. It makes you wonder where those results came from and how they were derived. South County is a poor example of diversity and sets no examples for levels of excellence. It is very sad!
—Submitted by a parent

South County is a great school. The teachers really care about the students and offer help during lunch or after school. The school has a great band program. The athletic program has been successful since the school opened. Yes the school's overcrowded but when the middle school opens it will take care of that problem. The teachers are also very good but some shouldn't be allowed to teach here at such a great school with great kids.
—Submitted by a student

Best school in Fairfax County! South County has only been opened for a couple of years and it has a great reputation. The principal and teachers are the best and the students are good kids. The school works with the students and prepares them for college. Love the school!
—Submitted by a parent

From a student's point of view, I think South County is wonderful. The teachers, maintenece people, lunch ladies and others are all very kind! The only thing is that people need to stop walkin so slow and stopping thie middle of the hall way while others are trying to get to class. Just becuase you MAY NOT care about wether or not you're on time, doesn't mean that everyone else feels the same.
—Submitted by a student

The school is not wonderful in any sense of the word. Some of the teachers play favorites all too often with students whom are on their favorite sports team (especially volleyball). Though, a number of the teachers are quite good. This school is overly concerned with their school ratings and how the school's reputation is doing than most anything else. Most of the time, the school is quite hostile to anything that may make their school look bad in any way. Most of the positive reviews here seem to be quite generic, written either by parents with their kids on one of the sports teams, someone whom seems to have only read a description of the school, or by the staff members themselves posing as parents or students. I would not recommend this school to anyone; there is just too many things that go on in this school behind closed doors.
—Submitted by a student

Its a good school they treated me with respect and maid me feel at home when I moved there. A little crowded but its okay. Some teachers dont show respect so it makes the student not want to respect them. But I think that most of the teachers are great and make learning fun.
—Submitted by a student

Very good school! Best teachers in Fairfax County. When the middle school opens up 2011, the school will be under capacity. This school has good students, they want to learn and teachers & staff are top notch!
—Submitted by a parent

This parent is totally wrong! The staff is totally helpful, treated myself and my family with the utmost respect. Helped through all of my troubles. I think this parent is off the charts and she is probably the one who is disrespectful!
—Submitted by a parent

this is the worst school of all time. The staff does not treat me or my child with any respect. I advise you dont send your child here, if you love then.
—Submitted by a parent