It's a Great Day to Be a Cavalier!

10 Reasons Why Woodson High School Stands Out

Carter G. Woodson is a vibrant and thriving community known for its diverse student body and strong academic programs. Our school emphasizes both academic excellence and personal growth.  Our students bring unique perspectives that enrich our academic environment. We are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration among our teachers and students, ensuring everyone benefits from the collective wisdom and creativity of our community.

A Tradition of Academic Excellence

Carter G. Woodson has been on the AP School Honor Roll for the past two years. During the 2023-2024 school year, CG Woodson earned a Platinum Distinction, where more than 55% of juniors and seniors took Advanced Placement classes and earned scores of 3 or higher on the exams. In addition, CG Woodson received the AP Access Award, for providing equitable access to AP exams.

Woodson received the 2024-2025 Highest Achievement Award from the state of Virginia’s Board of Education, after demonstrating high levels of success across all school quality indicators, including performance on reading, math and science exams as well as success in narrowing achievement gaps among student groups in the school.  

America’s Top Young Scientist and Time’s 2024 Kid of the Year is a Woodson HS sophomore!

Six Woodson seniors have been designated National Merit Semifinalists for the 2024-2025 school year. We also had 39 National Merit Commended Scholars for the 2024-2025 school year.

Inclusive Programs for All Students

CG Woodson is home to the only FCPS high school  program for deaf and hard of hearing students and is home to one of six high school Comprehensive Services Sites (CSS). We also provide a wide variety of programming for students, including a partnership class that includes students accessing both the general education and adapted curriculums. Many of these students also participate on our Special Olympics unified sports teams throughout the year. 

Former Woodson student Michael Gouin, who is deaf, worked with teachers and staff to become an integral part of the Woodson Cavaliers marching band’s drumline. Michael’s story was featured on local TV outlets and in FCPS publications and videos. 

Dedicated Staff Inspire Students

The staff at this school are truly exceptional, with award-winning educators and staff who go above and beyond to create a nurturing and supportive environment for every student. Their dedication, kindness, and passion for education make a lasting impact on both the academic and personal growth of each individual.

Cavaliers Care about Our Community

The families, students, and staff of CG Woodson believe in service to others. Many of our clubs hold fundraisers for worthy causes, such as Relay for Life, or hold food and clothing drives.  Beyond collecting clothing, Hats for ECHO, sponsored by our head librarian, makes and donates hundreds of hats to people in need of a warm hat in the winter. In addition, our school partners with our PTSO to stock and run our Cav Cupboard, a food pantry for students in need. These are just a few of the numerous ways that our school gives back to our community!

Leaders in Environmental Stewardship

Students in Woodson’s environmental club jumped into action when they learned about a 400 percent spike in demand at food pantries during the pandemic. Tucked between Woodson High School tennis courts and the school’s science lab wing, are garden plots where students in the club grow spinach, rainbow chard, lettuce and more which they donate to local food pantries.

Woodson is one of 56 schools across the country to earn a “Green Flag” award from the National Wildlife Federation. 

At these schools, students and teachers committed to sustainability measures that lead to enough points to earn the award. Some of these measures included engaging the local community, forming an action team, creating a plan, collecting data, taking solution-based actions, and measuring impact. 

This student-led program provides opportunities for youth leadership, raising environmental awareness, connecting students to the natural world, and driving positive environmental change. 

#CavStrong

In addition to academic excellence, our students are involved in many sports and activities. Woodson offers over 75 student-run after school clubs and activities. Woodson E-Sports Team won the Inaugural State Title in the Rocket League Championship.  

Student athletes have the opportunity to compete with 27 different sports teams. Our coaches and players value teamwork and sportsmanship on and off the field. School spirit resonates with the Woodson Cavalry, our very own student spirit section at all sporting events. 

Legacy of Artistic Excellence

Our performing and fine arts departments are award winning.  For 8 of the past 10 years, CG Woodson has been designated a Blue Ribbon School and during the 2023-2024 school year, our theater department competed in the state competition, performing The Elephant Man.  

Our students also achieve in fine arts. During the 2023-2024 school year alone, we had 10 recipients of Scholastic Awards, a recipient of the Student Peace Award, a recipient of a Fairfax County School Board Award, a recipient of a FCPS Chief of Schools Award, and a recipient of an Assistant Superintendent Award. 

A Home for Military Families

CG Woodson is honored to be recognized as a Purple Star School by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for their dedication to helping military-connected students and their families.

Once a Cavalier, Always a Cavalier

Some of our alumni are such proud Cavaliers that they came back to Woodson to teach – including four recent grads profiled for their decision to return to teach shortly after their own graduations from college.

Students Lead the Way

Woodson values student voice in every aspect of school from classroom activities to schoolwide decisions. Student leaders can participate in traditional student leadership classes, sports leadership, SPIRIT Council (a DOJ program), SEALS (student equity ambassador leader), SAC (superintendent’s advisory council), among many other opportunities.

Carter G. Woodson embraced student voice to lead the name change and honor Carter G. Woodson, father of Black History, as the school’s new namesake. Students were involved from the beginning in designing how to educate students and staff about Carter G. Woodson, and how to honor his legacy at our school. Their work will continue this year and beyond as they lead our learning.

Woodson High School is more than a school—it's a community where we learn, grow, and make an impact. Join us in celebrating the magic of #OneWoodson!