Fairfax and Woodson high schools are among the top public schools in the state and nation according to U.S. News Best High Schools Rankings for 2012.

Local Rankings

• Fairfax High School ranked No. 13 in Virginia, No. 249 in the nation.
• Woodson High School ranked No. 7 in Virginia, No. 122 in the nation.

Of the top 15 high schools in Virginia, 11 are in Fairfax County.

National Rankings

Five other Fairfax County Public Schools made the top 100 nationally.

• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology ranked No. 2 in the nation.
• George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church was ranked No. 55 in the nation;
• McLean High School was ranked 85th;
• Robinson was ranked 88th;
• Langley High School in McLean was ranked 98th.

"We evaluated nearly 22,000 public high schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on state proficiency standards, how well they prepare students for college, and other factors," wrote U.S. News and World Report.

In all, U.S. News reviewed 21,776 U.S. public high schools nationwide and 96 Virginia schools made the list.

According to U.S. News, the rankings were calculated based on state proficiency standards, how well the schools prepare students for college, and other factors. Schools were also awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on those factors.