For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 14,422 students in Sterling, VA (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,999 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Sterling, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Sterling, VA are Lowes Island Elementary School, Algonkian Elementary School and Horizon Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sterling, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Sterling have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Sterling, VA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lowes Island Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
20755 Whitewater Dr
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-4450
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-4450
Gr: PK-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #22.
Algonkian Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
20196 Carter Court
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3240
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3240
Gr: PK-5 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
Horizon Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
46665 Broadmore Dr
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3260
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3260
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #44.
Potomac Falls High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
46400 Algonkian Pkwy
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3200
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,662 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #55.
Dominion High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
21326 Augusta Dr.
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4400
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4400
Gr: PK-12 | 1,453 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #66.
Countryside Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
20624 Countryside Blvd.
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3250
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3250
Gr: PK-5 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #77.
Meadowland Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
729 S Sugarland Run Dr
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4440
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4440
Gr: PK-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #88.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
46240 Algonkian Pkwy.
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3220
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3220
Gr: 6-8 | 1,137 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
Potowmack Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
46465 Esterbrook Pkwy
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3270
Sterling, VA 20165
(571) 434-3270
Gr: PK-5 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1010.
Park View High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 W Laurel Ave
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4500
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,409 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
Seneca Ridge Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
98 Seneca Ridge Dr
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4420
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4420
Gr: 6-8 | 862 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
Rolling Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 E Frederick Dr
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4540
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4540
Gr: PK-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1313.
Sterling Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 W Church Rd
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4580
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4580
Gr: PK-5 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1414.
Forest Grove Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
46245 Forest Ridge Dr.
Sterling, VA 20164
(703) 434-4560
Sterling, VA 20164
(703) 434-4560
Gr: PK-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1515.
Sugarland Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
65 Sugarland Run Dr
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4460
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4460
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1616.
Sterling Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 W Holly Ave
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4520
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4520
Gr: 6-8 | 967 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1717.
Guilford Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
600 W Poplar Rd
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4550
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4550
Gr: PK-5 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1818.
Sully Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 Circle Dr
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4570
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4570
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
24200 Pissaro Drive
Sterling, VA 20166
(571) 367-4230
Sterling, VA 20166
(571) 367-4230
Gr: PK-5 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
21328 Augusta Drive
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4500
Sterling, VA 20164
(571) 434-4500
Gr: 9-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Sterling, VA?
The top-ranked public schools in Sterling, VA include Lowes Island Elementary School, Algonkian Elementary School and Horizon Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Sterling?
20 public schools are located in Sterling.
What percentage of students in Sterling go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Sterling are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sterling?
Sterling public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Sterling are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Sterling include: Seneca Ridge Middle School vs. River Bend Middle School, River Bend Middle School vs. Seneca Ridge Middle School, Countryside Elementary School vs. Algonkian Elementary School
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