South County High School, opened in September 2005, is a public high school in Lorton,"Lorton CDP, Virginia ." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 14 October 2009. Virginia and is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. The school mascot is "Stan" the Stallion and the school colors are forest green, navy blue, and silver. Common nicknames include "SoCo", "SCHS", and "South County".
History South County High School, originally named South County School, opened its doors in September 2005, marking the first time Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) had opened a secondary school in over three decades. The opening was a milestone for the fast-growing southeastern region of the county, addressing severe overcrowding at nearby Hayfield Secondary School and Lake Braddock Secondary School.
The school was constructed on the site of the former Lorton Reformatory, a prison complex operated by the District of Columbia from 1910 to 2001, The repurposing of this 511-acre property into an educational campus represented a symbolic transformation from incarceration to education, part of a broader redevelopment of Lorton after the prison's closure under federal mandate.
South County was designed as a "secondary school," a structure housing both middle and high school students (grades 7–12). At its opening, the campus served approximately 1,200 students, with enrollment expected to grow significantly due to rapid suburban development in the Lorton area.
The initial configuration as a secondary school was met with both praise and criticism. Some families appreciated the continuity it offered, while others raised concerns about the social dynamics of having middle and high school students in the same building.
In 2012, FCPS opened South County Middle School on adjacent property, effectively splitting the original secondary model into two distinct schools. This change allowed South County High School to operate independently as a standard grades 9–12 high school. The middle school relieved pressure on overcrowding, while the high school was able to expand its academic and extracurricular offerings.
The construction of South County coincided with a broader revitalization effort in Lorton, which included new residential developments, the establishment of the Lorton Arts Foundation (now the Workhouse Arts Center), and the preservation of historical structures. The transformation of the Lorton Correctional Complex into community assets, including the high school, was praised as a model of adaptive reuse and urban planning.
Since its founding, South County High School has rapidly developed a reputation for academic achievement, athletic success, and community involvement. It now serves over 2,000 students and has become a central institution in the Lorton area, symbolizing the district's growth and evolution in the 21st century.
Current status South County High School serves students in grades 9–12 as part of the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) system. Located in Lorton, Virginia, the school has become a central institution in the southeastern region of Fairfax County.
The school's main building was constructed using a design similar to that of Westfield High School, with adaptations to meet the specific needs of the South County community. This approach allowed for efficient construction and cost savings.
In 2015, the school completed a significant upgrade to its athletic facilities by replacing the natural grass playing fields with synthetic turf. This project was made possible through extensive fundraising efforts led by the former Director of Student Activities, Leah Conte, and support from the community.
As of the 2023–2024 academic year, the school has an enrollment of approximately 2,200 students. The school's principal is Samuel Khoshaba, who brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership.
The Student Government Association has been recognized for its excellence, earning the National Council of Excellence award in 2025. This accolade reflects the student government's commitment to effective student leadership and engagement.
For more information about South County High School, including academic programs, extracurricular activities, and enrollment procedures, please visit the official website: (https://southcountyhs.fcps.edu/)
Attendance area and feeder schools South County High School serves a diverse and growing region in southeastern Fairfax County, Virginia. The school's attendance zone encompasses several communities, including Lorton, Laurel Hill, Crosspointe, Newington, and parts of Fairfax Station and Springfield. This area is characterized by a mix of suburban neighborhoods and rapidly developing residential zones.
The primary feeder schools for South County High School are:
South County Middle School: Located adjacent to the high school, it serves as the main middle school feeder, providing a seamless transition for students advancing to high school. Laurel Hill Elementary School Halley Elementary School Silverbrook Elementary School Newington Forest Elementary School
In recent years, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has undertaken boundary reviews to address enrollment growth and capacity challenges. In 2024, the Fairfax County School Board approved an update to Policy 8130, allowing for boundary reviews every five years to better manage school capacities and address issues such as overcrowding and transportation efficiency.
As part of this initiative, FCPS released updated boundary maps for the 2024–2025 school year, detailing the attendance zones for each high school, including South County High School.
Administration The principal of South County High School is Samuel Khoshaba. Khoshaba was formerly the principal of Western Branch Middle School in Chesapeake City Public Schools. He was also named the 2021 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals.
Demographics As of the 2023–2024 school year, South County High School enrolled approximately 2,200 students across grades 9 through 12. The student body reflects the diverse demographics of the Lorton area and Fairfax County Public Schools. The racial and ethnic composition is as follows:
White: 36.7% Black or African American: 22.5% Asian: 17.8% Hispanic or Latino: 15.8% Two or more races: 6.8% Native American: 0.2% Pacific Islander: 0.2%
Approximately 23.8% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant portion of the student body comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The gender distribution is nearly balanced, with 51% male and 49% female students.
Academics overview As of the 2023–2024 academic year, South County High School employs approximately 209 full-time staff members, including a strong team of credentialed teachers, counselors, and support personnel. The school integrates technology across its curriculum, with over 2,000 networked devices available to students to enhance instruction and collaboration.
The school is fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education and met all state performance benchmarks for the 2023–2024 school year. The school achieved Level One performance ratings across all accountability indicators, including English Reading, Mathematics, Science, Graduation and Completion Index, and College, Career, and Civic Readiness Index.
In 2023, South County was recognized on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll with a Silver distinction, honoring its efforts to expand access to Advanced Placement coursework and improve student outcomes on AP exams.
The school offers a broad curriculum that includes more than two dozen Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a comprehensive Career and Technical Education program, dual enrollment partnerships with Northern Virginia Community College, and specialized services for English Learners and students with disabilities. Elective offerings include fine and performing arts, journalism, robotics, and business and entrepreneurship.
Academic programs South County High School offers a range of academic programs designed to prepare students for postsecondary education, career pathways, and civic engagement. These include Advanced Placement (AP), Career and Technical Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and special education transition services. The school emphasizes college and career readiness through rigorous coursework and personalized academic advising.
Advanced Placement South County High School provides a comprehensive selection of AP courses across multiple disciplines. These courses allow students to engage in college-level studies and potentially earn college credit through successful performance on AP exams administered by the College Board.
English Math & Computer Science Science Social Studies World Languages Arts Interdisciplinary AP English Language and Composition AP Calculus AB AP Biology AP World History: Modern AP Spanish Language and Culture AP Music Theory AP Seminar AP English Literature and Composition AP Calculus BC AP Chemistry AP United States History AP French Language and Culture AP Studio Art: Drawing AP Research AP Statistics AP Environmental Science AP U.S. Government and Politics AP Latin AP Studio Art: 2-D Design AP Computer Science A AP Physics 1 AP Human Geography AP Japanese Language and Culture AP Studio Art: 3-D Design AP Physics 2 AP Psychology AP Chinese Language and Culture AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Macroeconomics / Microeconomics
Students enrolled in AP courses are encouraged to take the corresponding AP exams in May. The school provides AP preparatory resources and financial assistance for exam fees based on need.
Career and Technical Education and Transition Services South County offers a variety of career and technical education pathways to support students' career interests, including:
Business and Information Technology (e.g., accounting, entrepreneurship) Family and Consumer Sciences (e.g., early childhood education, culinary arts) Marketing Education (e.g., Distributive Education Clubs of America participation, sports and entertainment marketing) Technology Education (e.g., engineering design, robotics) Trade and Industrial Education (e.g., auto tech, construction systems)
Students may also access Fairfax County's Academy programs, such as the Edison Academy and Fairfax Academy, for specialized instruction in areas like cybersecurity, health sciences, and digital arts.
Additionally, the school provides Career and Transition Services (CTS) for students with disabilities, offering support for job readiness, independent living skills, and postsecondary transition planning.
English as a second or foreign language South County High School supports multilingual learners through its English for Speakers of Other Languages program, designed to improve English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students are placed in appropriate levels based on their initial assessment and receive targeted instruction alongside core academic content. The goal is to ensure English Learners (ELs) can fully access the curriculum and graduate on time.
Additional Academic Supports South County also provides:
Honors courses across all core subject areas Dual enrollment opportunities through Northern Virginia Community College Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) for first-generation college-bound students Special Education services with individualized education programs Academic advising and college & career counseling via the school's Student Services Department
South County High School maintains a strong record of student participation in AP and honors coursework, with many graduates attending selective universities, military academies, and entering competitive career fields.
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