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Cooper Middle

Public, Magnet Grades 7-8

18^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 416 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 96% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

Cooper Middle in McLean, VA serves 997 students in grades 7 and 8 as part of Fairfax County Public Schools, and it is one of the highest-performing middle schools in Virginia—currently ranked 18th out of 416 middle schools statewide (96th percentile) with a 5-star rating. The school serves a largely low-poverty population, with only 3.1% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch.

Academically, Cooper far exceeds district and state averages in nearly every subject. In 8th grade reading, 95.4% of students were proficient, versus 80.4% districtwide and 73.5% statewide; in 8th grade science, 91.9% were proficient versus 64.7% statewide; and in grade-level math, 65.9% were proficient—nearly double the district rate of 33.1%. Cooper's advanced math pathway is especially strong: proficiency in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II is essentially universal, typically 96–100%. SchoolDigger's subgroup rankings are also excellent across the board, including 5th statewide for students with disabilities, 15th for Hispanic and low-income students, and top-25 rankings for all other reported groups.

Cooper also stands out for strong attendance and efficient spending. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 8.9% is well below district (11.9%) and state (14.8%) rates, and its per-pupil spending of $10,015 is lower than every nearby middle school, including Longfellow Middle ($10,736), Kilmer Middle ($10,274), and Williamsburg Middle ($13,381). Among Fairfax County middle schools in its area, Cooper ranks first—ahead of Longfellow (#35), Thoreau Middle (#51), and Kilmer (#73)—though Williamsburg Middle (#5) and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (#14) rank higher. The contrast with Jackson Middle, also in Fairfax County and about six miles away, is stark: Cooper's 8th grade math proficiency is 65.9% versus 19.2% at Jackson, with similarly large gaps in reading.

997

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,015

Per pupil spending ?

3.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

977 Balls Hill Rd
Mclean, VA 22101

(703) 442-5800

District: Fairfax County Public Schools

Students who attend Cooper Middle usually attend:

High:

Langley High

Feeder schools for Cooper Middle:

Elementary:	Churchill Road Elementary
	Colvin Run Elementary
	Forestville Elementary
	Great Falls Elementary
	More...
	Spring Hill Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.9%

Asian:

32.9%

Two or more races:

9.5%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare Cooper Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 100th percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (95% vs 69% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% of Virginia middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Fairfax County Public Schools

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school95%

District avg77%

Virginia avg69%

18^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 4%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 1% (2016) to top 4% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 23Middle Schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools

39^th of 131Fairfax County Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	85.9	18 of 416	95.7%	★★★★★
2025	86.7	15 of 419	96.4%	★★★★★
2024	85.6	19 of 417	95.4%	★★★★★
2023	86.0	23 of 422	94.5%	★★★★★
2022	86.9	13 of 415	96.9%	★★★★★
2021	88.2	10 of 419	97.6%	★★★★★
2019	89.7	4 of 424	99.1%	★★★★★
2018	90.8	3 of 413	99.3%	★★★★★
2017	91.1	5 of 415	98.8%	★★★★★
2016	91.6	2 of 409	99.5%	★★★★★
2015	86.8	10 of 412	97.6%	★★★★★
2014	91.5	3 of 416	99.3%	★★★★★
2013	90.9	6 of 416	98.6%	★★★★★
2012	87.5	4 of 413	99.0%	★★★★★
2011	86.3	6 of 413	98.5%	★★★★★
2010	85.4	9 of 408	97.8%	★★★★★
2009	87.9	2 of 390	99.5%	★★★★★
2008	85.8	6 of 391	98.5%	★★★★★
2007	85.2	9 of 387	97.7%	★★★★★
2006	90.7	4 of 383	99.0%	★★★★★
2005	90.2	3 of 340	99.1%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	92.6	4 of 299	98.7%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	74.3	21 of 137	84.7%	★★★★☆
2025	77.7	9 of 136	93.4%	★★★★★
2024	75.0	15 of 128	88.3%	★★★★☆
2023	78.6	9 of 132	93.2%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	96.3	5 of 292	98.3%	★★★★★
2024	89.0	10 of 281	96.4%	★★★★★
2023	89.8	16 of 278	94.2%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	97.4	4 of 135	97.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	85.7	16 of 409	96.1%	★★★★★
2025	85.3	12 of 403	97.0%	★★★★★
2024	83.7	24 of 407	94.1%	★★★★★
2023	87.5	15 of 411	96.4%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	88.2	15 of 283	94.7%	★★★★★
2025	92.9	6 of 279	97.8%	★★★★★
2024	91.6	9 of 272	96.7%	★★★★★
2023	88.3	18 of 275	93.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	89.9	15 of 401	96.3%	★★★★★
2025	91.7	9 of 403	97.8%	★★★★★
2024	88.0	18 of 402	95.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	84.8	21 of 410	94.9%	★★★★★
2025	87.0	17 of 404	95.8%	★★★★★
2024	86.8	18 of 407	95.6%	★★★★★
2023	83.8	33 of 409	91.9%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	82.4	10 of 125	92.0%	★★★★★
2025	69.0	31 of 130	76.2%	★★★★☆
2024	78.0	10 of 123	91.9%	★★★★★
2023	83.3	5 of 114	95.6%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	83.2	12 of 249	95.2%	★★★★★
2025	74.3	41 of 244	83.2%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	30 of 237	87.3%	★★★★☆
2023	88.7	7 of 231	97.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	81.7	21 of 400	94.8%	★★★★★
2025	82.0	24 of 400	94.0%	★★★★★
2024	80.3	33 of 396	91.7%	★★★★★
2023	79.3	40 of 402	90.0%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2024)99th percentile+3 vs school

Disabled (2026)98th percentile+3 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)97th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)96th percentile~ school

Female (2026)96th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2026)95th percentile~ school

Male (2026)95th percentile~ school

White (2026)95th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)95th percentile~ school

Military Connected (2026)92nd percentile-4 vs school

Asian (2026)85th percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra II100%~ state avg

Geometry99%~ state avg

Algebra I98%+3 vs state

English Reading95%+22 vs state

Science92%+27 vs state

Mathematics66%+17 vs state

★

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Schools Near Cooper Middle

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)		SOL Algebra I (2026)			SOL Algebra II (2026)		SOL Mathematics (2026)			SOL Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)			SOL World History I (2026)	SOL Civics and Economics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 7th Grade	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 6th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra II 7th Grade	SOL Algebra II 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL World History I 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cooper Middle	Public, Magnet	7-8	977 Balls Hill Rd	Mclean	22101	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 442-5800	997	81	12.3	3.1%	478 (47.9%)	20 (2.0%)	75 (7.5%)	328 (32.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	95 (9.5%)	85.9	18^th of 416 public middle schools	95.7%		86.7	15^th of 419 public middle schools	96.4%	3	100.0	99.3		100.0	96.7	≥ 50%	100.0		339.0	65.9	91.9		95.3	95.4			$10,015	$270	$9,745
Longfellow Middle	Public, Magnet	7-8	2000 Westmoreland St	Falls Church	22043	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 533-2600	1,226	116	10.5	10.6%	554 (45.2%)	43 (3.5%)	153 (12.5%)	366 (29.9%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.3%)	105 (8.6%)	81.8	35^th of 416 public middle schools	91.6%		83.6	30^th of 419 public middle schools	92.8%	5	100.0	100.0		100.0	94.4	558.0	100.0		39.7	≥ 50%	90.1		92.4	94.4			$10,736	$208	$10,528
Kilmer Middle	Public	7-8	8100 Wolftrap Rd	Vienna	22182	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 846-8800	1,199	83	14.4		498 (41.5%)	71 (5.9%)	216 (18.0%)	312 (26.0%)	6 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	95 (7.9%)	75.3	73^rd of 416 public middle schools	82.5%		73.4	96^th of 419 public middle schools	77.1%	23	525.0	100.0		100.0	97.8	≥ 50%	100.0		49.6	33.1	78.9		86.8	85.4			$10,274	$239	$10,035
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School	Public	6-8	105 Mustang Alley	Falls Church	22043	Fairfax County	Falls Church City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 720-5700	632	45	13.9	10.1%	398 (63.0%)	22 (3.5%)	77 (12.2%)	53 (8.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	81 (12.8%)	87.6	14^th of 416 public middle schools	96.6%		87.8	11^th of 419 public middle schools	97.4%	3		100.0		100.0	100.0			87.0	80.8	83.5	86.9	92.2	93.1	91.8	94.4	90.1	$14,877	$247	$14,629
Williamsburg Middle	Public	6-8	3600 N Harrison St	Arlington	22207	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 228-5450	856	57	15.1	2.8%	620 (72.4%)	20 (2.3%)	75 (8.8%)	39 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	102 (11.9%)	91.3	5^th of 416 public middle schools	98.8%		91.8	5^th of 419 public middle schools	98.8%		≥ 50%	100.0	≥ 50%	100.0	98.9			97.1	73.7	85.4	94.4	99.0	92.0	96.7		96.9	$13,381	$00	$13,381
Thoreau Middle	Public	7-8	2505 Cedar Ln	Vienna	22180	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 846-8000	1,239	109	11.3	18.8%	614 (49.6%)	67 (5.4%)	232 (18.7%)	231 (18.6%)	5 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	89 (7.2%)	78.7	51^st of 416 public middle schools	87.7%		77.9	61^st of 419 public middle schools	85.4%	10	≥ 50%	100.0		100.0	96.4		567.0		67.5	38.0	83.4		89.0	87.0			$10,833	$276	$10,557
Swanson Middle	Public	6-8	5800 Washington Blvd	Arlington	22205	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 228-5500	993	70	14.1	19.9%	530 (53.4%)	64 (6.4%)	232 (23.4%)	80 (8.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	86 (8.7%)	73.2	89^th of 416 public middle schools	78.6%		76.6	74^th of 419 public middle schools	82.3%	15		100.0		100.0	98.3		≥ 50%	73.2	35.8	56.3	80.5	85.6	78.0	84.8		83.3	$13,989	$04	$13,985
Dorothy Hamm Middle	Public	6-8	4100 N Vacation Lane	Arlington	22207	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 228-2910	989	69	14.2	18.9%	517 (52.3%)	91 (9.2%)	151 (15.3%)	142 (14.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	87 (8.8%)	81	38^th of 416 public middle schools	90.9%		81.3	40^th of 419 public middle schools	90.5%	2		100.0		100.0	100.0			70.9	68.9	59.0	82.3	86.3	86.4	85.6		90.4	$13,436	$46	$13,390
Jackson Middle	Public	7-8	3020 Gallows Rd	Falls Church	22042	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 204-8100	991	76	13.0	52.9%	208 (21.0%)	50 (5.0%)	502 (50.7%)	172 (17.4%)	4 (0.4%)	2 (0.2%)	53 (5.3%)	31	325^th of 416 public middle schools	21.9%		37.7	289^th of 419 public middle schools	31.0%	36		100.0		97.9	72.7		100.0		11.2	19.2	66.3		59.0	67.8			$13,311	$262	$13,049
Kenmore Middle	Public	6-8	200 S Carlin Springs Rd	Arlington	22204	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 228-6800	1,053	75	14.0	54.9%	285 (27.1%)	108 (10.3%)	500 (47.5%)	95 (9.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (6.1%)	48.1	242^nd of 416 public middle schools	41.8%		49.7	222^nd of 419 public middle schools	47.0%	20	≥ 50%	100.0		100.0	96.0			55.6	48.4	58.1	71.1	62.5	70.4	70.9		72.5	$15,296	$04	$15,293

Frequently Asked Questions about Cooper Middle

What is the racial makeup of Cooper Middle?

Students at Cooper Middle are 48% White, 33% Asian, 10% Two or more races, 8% Hispanic, 2% African American.

What high school do graduates of Cooper Middle attend?

Students who attend Cooper Middle usually go on to attend Langley High

How many students attend Cooper Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 997 students attended Cooper Middle.

Is Cooper Middle a good school?

Yes! Cooper Middle is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 18^th of 416 Virginia middle schools.

What district is Cooper Middle in?

Fairfax County Public Schools

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.