South Lakes High School posted reading and math pass rates above both Fairfax County and state averages in Virginia's fall 2026 accountability results, released Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The Virginia Department of Education's School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) showed statewide gains across the board. The share of Virginia schools rated "distinguished" doubled from 23% to 44%, and full accreditation reached 99.7%, up from 96.8% in fall 2025, as first reported by the Virginia Mercury.

South Lakes High, led by Principal Carlos Seward, recorded an 87% reading pass rate and 85% in math on the 2025-2026 Standards of Learning (SOL) exams, according to Virginia's School Quality Profiles. Both figures clear the FCPS division-wide averages of 80% in each subject.

Langston Hughes Middle School, under Principal Herman Mizell, posted 83% in reading and 77% in math, per its state profile. Hughes Middle topped the state reading average of 74% and the state math average of 73%, but its math score fell three points below the FCPS division average.

Both schools are fully accredited.

Fairfax County Public Schools reported 80% pass rates in both reading and math, outpacing Virginia's statewide marks, according to FCPS. The division's math pass rate has climbed 19 percentage points since 2021, rising from 61% to 80%.

FCPS Superintendent Michelle C. Reid pointed to early algebra access as a driver. "We have seen tremendous success in our students who are accessing Algebra I by eighth grade," Reid said in an Aug. 26 press release on SOL results. "Now, we are expanding access even earlier, with sixth graders taking Algebra 1 in our elementary schools."

Statewide, the SPSF measures schools on growth, mastery, readiness and graduation. Schools grew four to five points on average on the composite score between 2025 and 2026, according to VDOE's results page. The share of schools needing "intensive support" fell from 11% to 7%, and 16 of 49 schools exited the most serious federal improvement status.

Chronic absenteeism also dropped statewide, falling to 11.5% from 13.3%. Three out of four Virginia schools saw fewer chronically absent students. The rate remains above the pre-pandemic level of 10.7%.

VDOE spokeswoman Alyssa Schwenk said during a Tuesday, Oct. 6, briefing that elementary school gains were driven by progress in reading and math growth scores.

The state is reserving $26 million for schools still labeled as needing additional or comprehensive support. Framework changes tied to House Bill 643 and a December 2025 review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) are set to be approved by summer. They take effect in the 2028-2029 school year.

FCPS had not issued a public response to the Oct. 7 SPSF release as of Thursday, Oct. 8. Reston families can look up individual school ratings at the Virginia School Quality Profiles.