Summary:
Zip code 22124 (Oakton, VA) is home to two excellent public elementary schools — Oakton Elementary and Waples Mill Elementary — both serving grades PK-6 within Fairfax County Public Schools, a district ranked 39th out of 131 in Virginia with a 4-star rating. There are no public middle or high schools in this area, but both elementary schools are high-performing, low-poverty, and well-resourced, with each earning a 5-star rating for the 2025-2026 school year.
Oakton Elementary is the top overall performer, ranking 29th of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (97th percentile) and outpacing Waples Mill Elementary (58th, 95th percentile). Oakton posts exceptional SOL proficiency rates, including 96.69% in 4th grade math, 93.44% in 5th grade science, and 100% in 6th grade Algebra I. It also has very low chronic absenteeism at 6.6%, far below the district (11.9%) and state (14.8%). Waples Mill, however, is a standout in reading, with 4th grade reading at 93.94%, and offers a smaller student-teacher ratio (14.0 vs. 17.2) and higher spending per student ($12,066 vs. $10,786). Both schools have nearly identical free/reduced lunch rates (~13%) and exceed district and state averages in almost every grade and subject.
One of the most interesting findings is how quickly both schools have climbed the ranks. Oakton jumped from 139th place in 2023-2024 to 29th in 2025-2026, while Waples Mill improved from 144th to 58th. Despite Waples Mill’s smaller classes and higher per-student spending, Oakton ranks significantly higher, suggesting efficiency or unmeasured advantages like parental involvement or instructional leadership. Both schools saw striking 5th grade math gains over the past year (Oakton +11.2 points, Waples Mill +9.0 points), possibly reflecting a cohort effect or post-pandemic recovery. Oakton also offers advanced math pathways at 6th grade, and both schools remain excellent choices for families seeking top-tier elementary education in Fairfax County.
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