Independence High School (Ashburn, Virginia)

Last updated

Independence High School
Location
Independence High School (Ashburn, Virginia)
23115 Learning Circle

,
Loudoun County
,
20148
Coordinates 38°58′35″N77°33′12″W / 38.9764°N 77.5534°W / 38.9764; -77.5534
Information
School typePublic High School
Founded2019
School district Loudoun County Public Schools
NCES District ID5102250
PrincipalJohn G. Gabriel [1]
Teaching staff131.64 (FTE) [2]
Grades912
Enrollment2,013 [2]
Student to teacher ratio13.86 [2]
Language English
CampusSuburban
ColorsRed, Navy Blue, White    
MascotTigers
Nickname Indy
Rivals Rock Ridge High School, Riverside High School, Briar Woods High School, Lightridge High School
Communities servedBrambleton
Evergreen Village
Willowsford
Greene Mill Preserve
West Park
Nicholson Farm
Feeder schoolsBrambleton Middle School
Watson Mountain Middle School [3]
Creighton's Corner Elementary School
Legacy Elementary School
Madison's Trust Elementary School
Sycolin Creek Elementary School
Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School
Athletic Conference Dulles District [4]
Website www.lcps.org/o/ihs

Independence High School is a public high school in Ashburn, Virginia, and is part of Loudoun County Public Schools. Opening its doors to students for the first time in 2019, [5] Independence High School serves the communities of Ashburn and Brambleton.

Contents

Administration

Independence High School is headed by John G. Gabriel, a 2017 semi-finalist for The Washington Post Principal of the year. Gabriel was previously the principal of John Champe High School, and an assistant principal at Park View High School. [6] [7]

Athletics

The Independence High School mascot is a tiger and its sports teams currently play in the class 6 Cedar Run District. The Independence High School athletic director is Ryan Rogers, who came from the Heritage High School in Leesburg, Virginia to open up the school in 2019. Independence High School offers competitive cheer, cross country, marching band, crew, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track, girls' volleyball, basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, soccer, softball, and tennis. [8]

Recent achievements

In 2025, Independence High School's crew team earned a gold medal at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Champions. [9] The boys varsity lacrosse team advanced to the Virginia High School League State Championships in the Class 5 division. [10]

Extracurricular activities

Marching arts

Marching band

The Independence High School Marching Band is under the direction of Kyle Harrington and Amanda Young and has grown a prestigious reputation since its beginning in 2019. [11] The band has amassed numerous awards and achievements, including the VMBC Commonwealth Cup in 2023 and 2024, along with being crowned class 6A state champions in both of these years. They also placed second at the Bands Of America Mid-Atlantic Regional in 2023 [12] and were the class 3A champions, as well as being placed 15th at the Bands Of America Indianapolis Super Regional during prelims in 2024. [13] In the 2024 competition, the band came within one-tenth of a point of advancing to the national finals at the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Championship. [14]

Indoor percussion ensemble

For the first time in the school's history, Independence High School participated in an indoor percussion ensemble season in 2025 and combined with Rock Ridge High School and Briar Woods High School to form Rock Ridge Combined Percussion. During the 2025 season, the group was under the direction of Justin Ratcliff and Patrick O'Rourke from Rock Ridge High School, along with having help from additional staff from the other two schools. [15]

Independence Chorus

The Independence Chorus is currently a growing program under the direction of Mrs. Jennifer Tyler. [16] The choral program consistently receives high scores at Assessment and demonstrates significant promise. In addition to running the choral program, Jenn Tyler is the musical director for Independence High School's musicals, [17] while also running Storm Music, a private voice and piano lesson studio. [18] The Independence Chorus is a growing program and shows excellent progress under the direction of Jennifer Tyler.

Science Fair

In 2025, Independence sent 3 students to the International Science and Engineering Fair. [19]

Academic Recognition

Independence High School has been recognized for strong academic performance among Virginia public schools. The school is ranked #2 in Best Public High Schools in Virginia according to Niche, and ranks #1 among public high schools in Loudoun County (excluding Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a specialized magnet school). [20] Additionally, the school ranks 8th among 328 Virginia public high schools according to SchoolDigger. [21]

Academic metrics for the school include a 97% graduation rate, [22] with 96% of students achieving proficiency in reading and 68% in mathematics according to state assessments. [23] The school also offers an extensive Advanced Placement program with a 71% AP enrollment rate. [24] Additionally, Independence High School incorporates Project Lead the Way curriculum to support STEM education. [25]

References

  1. "John G. Gabriel, Principal" . Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Independence High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  3. "LCPS 2019-20 clusters" (PDF). Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  4. "New Ashburn School Independence Ready to Play" . Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  5. "Welcoming Independence High School to the Neighborhood". Brambleton. May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  6. Nadler, Danielle (April 24, 2017). "Loudoun Names Gabriel Principal of the Year". Loudoun Now. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  7. "Administration / John G. Gabriel, Principal". Loudoun County Public Schools. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  8. "Independence High School". independenceathletics.com. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  9. "Varsity sports teams cap seasons in championship fashion". loudountimes.com. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  10. "Varsity lacrosse teams advance to state finals". loudountimes.com. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  11. "Independence HS Bands - Marching Band". sites.google.com. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  12. "College Park, MD 2023". BOA Marching Championships. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  13. "Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Championship, presented by Yamaha" (PDF). marching.musicforall.org. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  14. "Independence High School Band Wins State Championship". Ashburn, VA Patch. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  15. "Indoor Percussion". sites.google.com. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  16. "Client Challenge". www.lcps.org. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  17. "General Information". INDEPENDENCE THEATRE & PERFORMING ARTS. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  18. "Home". www.stormmusiclessons.com. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  19. "Students Showcase Science Skills at 43rd Annual LCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fair". April 27, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  20. "2025 Independence High School Rankings - Niche". Niche. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  21. "Independence High in Ashburn VA - SchoolDigger". SchoolDigger. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  22. "Independence High School Test Scores and Academics - Niche". Niche. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  23. "Independence High School in Ashburn, VA - US News Best High Schools". US News & World Report. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  24. "Independence High School in Ashburn, VA - US News Best High Schools". US News & World Report. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  25. "Independence High School in Brambleton, VA - GreatSchools". GreatSchools. Retrieved October 18, 2025.