If you're thinking about moving to Springfield, VA, and have kids, the first thing you'll likely look at is the schools.

No matter how much you love a house, if the school district isn't great, it can make you hesitate. As I looked into school information, I found that Springfield falls under the Fairfax County Public Schools, or FCPS district. It's a large district in Northern Virginia, so you've probably heard of it.

FCPS as a whole is rated above average in Virginia, but the standout school in Springfield is West Springfield High School.

According to SchoolDigger data, it ranks 27th out of 328 public high schools in Virginia, which is quite impressive. With about 2,750 students, it's not a small school. However, a graduation rate of 97% is quite high. Considering that the overall average in Virginia is around 89%, this is reassuring for parents.

If you're looking to push your child academically, AP courses are important. West Springfield offers about 23 AP subjects, and around 62% of students take AP classes. About 73% of those students scored 3 or higher on AP exams, indicating that the school isn't just offering a lot of AP courses without substance. The pass rates for the main math and reading standardized tests are also around 94%, showing stable overall academic achievement.

Another school to consider is John R. Lewis High School. Some may find the name a bit unfamiliar, as it was previously known as Robert E. Lee High School. It was renamed in 2020 by the Fairfax County School Board to honor John Lewis, an American civil rights leader and former congressman.

This school is notable for its IB program. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is a two-year course for 11th and 12th graders. This program is different from AP, and students seeking an IB curriculum often specifically look for schools like this.

However, when looking at general academic metrics, there are differences between West Springfield and John R. Lewis. The pass rates for standardized tests at John R. Lewis are about 71% in math and 78% in reading. That said, you shouldn't judge a school solely based on numbers. It's important to consider whether your child wants an IB program and how they plan to prepare for college.

One crucial thing to check is that in the U.S., public schools don't allow you to just choose any school you like. Even with the same Springfield address, the assigned school can vary based on the exact home address. Therefore, before signing a lease or purchasing a home, it's really important to check the FCPS Boundary Locator to see which high school your address is assigned to.

There are also FCPS schools in nearby areas like Burke and Annandale, so if you broaden your search area, you'll have more options. Ultimately, if you're moving to Springfield for your child's school, you need to check not just the school names but also the home address and assigned district. Then, deciding whether to prioritize AP or choose IB based on your child's preferences seems to be the most practical approach.