Mclean High School

1633 Davidson Road

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Fairfax County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 19, 2024

Mclean High school has few issues that are ongoing. During the 4 years our family has been involved with MH we have seen teachers that are not qualified, teachers who clearly do not care if students understand and perform. However, there are few very strong teachers that needs to be praised and really apapricited for the work they do. Special Education support is at the 0 out of 10 level. Everything in the Specail Education department is done for a check mark not for a real result.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2023

MH is a great high school that provides great resources for students.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2021

My kids learned a lot at McLean High and they were prepared for college. The teachers are excellent.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2020

Our kids have learned so much while attending McLean High School. Other than the fact that it’s a little overcrowded than Langley High School, it’s an awesome school, overall.
Submitted by student on December 14, 2019

If you want to take more APs, go-ahead.This school allows to take any honors or AP classes without recommendation from other teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2019

Great teachers and administrators. Students are definitely college ready. Some have said that their first year of college was easier than this high school. Wish it was less overcrowded.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2018

Challenging school. Student need to be ready for the work.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2018

Teachers did not teach effectively and never accommodated my son's 504 plan with extended time for timed tests. We had to move my son to a private school.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2017

The students are wonderful and many of the teachers are great but the administration is ineffective and frequently hostile to parents and students if they bring to the school's attention any issues they disagree with or problems they are experiencing. It's understandable when you read in the news about bad teachers getting away with their behavior for years. It's because of schools like MHS who refuse to do anything when presented with problems and issues happening under their roof. Yet, incredibly, like so many FCPS schools, they have way more administrators than is necessary! Instead of charging parents for AP exams this year, maybe they should get rid of some of their do-nothing assistant principals and other staff instead!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2017

Positive experience. The school makes you want to do well. Excellent counsellors.
Submitted by student on July 06, 2016

with very few african americans in this school, it is easy for the students and teachers to treat minority groups unfairly or differently than everyone else
Submitted by other on June 15, 2016

This site appears to rate schools based on reviews only, which gives a false impression. For example McLean and Langley High schools are both rated as an 8 (a barely passing grade). But both schools are ranked in the top 200 (out of 21,000 nationwide) McLean is ranked #2 and Langley #6 in the state of VA by USA today's rankings. While personal opinion has it's place, statistics tell a clearer story. However for those that like anecdotes, my 3 children when to McLean and although average students, they were encouraged to do their best and were given a sound foundation for college. Finally, although the received average grades they were accepted at very good schools, one school openly admitting they were taking a flyer based on McLean's reputation for strong college prep (that one is currently a Junior running a 3.89) No High school is perfect and I'm sorry to hear some of the kids reviewing the school had a tough time of it, but fundamentally, high school is there to prepare you for college and McLean (and Langley) do that very well indeed.
Submitted by other on May 02, 2014

I go there now & I have to say, it's okay. I haven't seen any bullying, people are always really nice to special ed kids, the classes range in difficulty based on reg., HNRS, and AP, and while I know some kids who are drinking & doing drugs, few are. My only complaints are the large class sizes and the short time periods between classes.
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2013

McLean is a well-run school with great academics and extra-curricular opportunities for students. The pride that administrators, students and parents take in the school is obvious, and the new principal seems to have developed a good relationship with the community. The school also gets great support from the business community in downtown McLean as well.
Submitted by student on December 19, 2013

I am an Asian-American currently at Mclean High School. Contrary to what most are saying, it is the best! It's WAY better than Langley and we have top scores. Plus, our school teams are not that bad in some areas like football and track. Asians arent discriminated against. The only reason somebody may be unpopular is because they are either annoying or a bully themselves! Don't put some random stereotype on us that we allow bullying and that sort of nonsense. We don't. Once again, this is an amazing school.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2013

As a parent of a former MHS student, this school doesn't not deserve ANY stars. The teachers and the assistant principals mistreat kids who are not popular. And, bullying is tolerated. I worked on various volunteer programs and parent participation was dismal at best. If you are moving to the DC area DO NOT move to Fairfax County for the schools-- not worth it. Across the river in Montgomery county are the best schools in the nation: Winston Churchill HS, Wooten, BCC, Whitman, and Walter Johnson are the best. Bullying is not tolerated and the teacher are there to serve the students and parents, and not the other way around as is the case with McLean. Even people who can well afford to send their kids to private school don't because the quality of education is superior. I did have a teacher at MHS tell me that the parents were snobby and it was tough to break in to any group. I agree with the one student reviewer that MHS was the worst experience of their life. My child agrees. I took my child out. My only regret is that they spent ANY time at MHS.
Submitted by student on March 12, 2013

I was a former student at this school. It was the most miserable experience of my life. If you are a transfer student or come from a military family do not go here!!! They are not accommodating at all. You'll be forced to take standardized tests from classes you had already completed without helping you review. The teachers like to berate students and brag to other faculty about how many students they fail. I received no help from anyone and ended up slipping between the cracks.
Submitted by student on January 02, 2013

I'd just like to address the two one star reviews of the school- in my experience as a student, the counseling staff is well organized and has continued to improve my experience. I am very pleased with all of my teachers, and can do well in my classes with an appropriate amount of effort. As for drugs and alcohol, that is up to the student. The problem is not nearly as bad as some other schools in the immediate area, and there is a strong program about anti-drug and alcohol education. I don't think the reviewers have noticed just how amazing this school really is for a student serious about his or her education, and that this school is easily one of the best in the country by a large margin.
Submitted by other on June 20, 2011

I am an alumni of McLean High School, graduated in 2004. Teacher/Student Ratio - Classes ranged on average from 25-30 students per faculty member. Teachers were also very accessible during after school hours for students who needed additional tutoring/help. In addition to after hours help, there were lunch programs and study halls for continuing education. Class curriculam - A very demanding schedule of math, english, history, science, and foreign language were requirements. In addition, a vast offering of electives were given to students. I was able to take beginning business courses that layed a great foundation for me being a finance major in college. College Guidance - Due to the amount of students and lack of counselors, minimal time was given to each to student to research colleges, prepare applications, or select target schools. Most of the prementioned activities took place during my own time with my parents. Overall McLean High School provided me with an encouraging learning environment that fostered my academic development, and layed a great framework for my university studies and professional career.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2011

My two children are recent graduates of McLean H.S. and they loved their experience. One will be a junior in college next year and says that MHS did a great job in preparing her academically. I also coach at the high school and the athletes are respectful,attentive and committed. My families 6+ years of experience with MHS has been absolutely wonderful.