The school opened its doors in September 1971, taking its students from Fairfax, W.T. Woodson, Oakton, and West Springfield high schools. It was the second of Fairfax County's "secondary schools," or "superschools," which housed grades 7–12. Lake Braddock, which opened two years later in 1973, was the third of these schools from this era. The first was Hayfield, near Mount Vernon, which opened in 1968, and the most recent is South County in Lorton, which opened in 2005, taking its students from former Hayfield territory. South County has since reverted to high school status with the opening of South County Middle School near the school's athletic gym.
Awards and recognitions
Robinson won the 2018–19 Wells Fargo Cup race,[5][6] which is presented annually to Virginia public high schools that have "demonstrated extraordinary success in academic activities throughout the year". This is the first time Robinson has won the Wells Fargo Cup for Academics.[7][8][9]
Demographics
For the 2024–25 school year, Robinson's grade 9–12 student body was 54.65% White, 13.35% Asian, 18.08% Hispanic, 6.62% Black and 7.30% other races.[10] The grade 7–8 student body was 57.85% White, 12.13% Asian, 15.78% Hispanic, 6.45% Black and 7.80% other races.[11]
Music Department
Robinson Secondary School has earned a reputation for musical excellence, with its ensembles frequently achieving superior ratings at state and national competitions.[citation needed]
Ensembles and offerings
The program includes a variety of ensembles, catering to students with diverse musical interests and skill levels:
Bands – The school has several concert bands, including Symphonic Band, Concert Band, as well as an award-winning marching band known as the Robinson Marching Rams.
Orchestras – Students can participate in multiple string orchestras, such as the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, which consistently receive high rankings in competitions.[citation needed]
Choirs – The choral program features multiple vocal groups, providing students with opportunities to develop vocal technique and performance skills.
Jazz and Contemporary Ensembles – The school offers jazz band and contemporary music groups, allowing students to explore different musical genres.
Achievements and recognitions
Robinson's music ensembles have been recognized at state, national, and international levels. The marching band frequently competes in the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative (VMBC) and Bands of America (BOA) events. Robinson has been recognized as a "Thirty Year Virginia Honor Band", earning a membership in the VBODA Hall of Fame. The Robinson Symphonic Band has appeared at five VMEA state conferences, one ASBDA convention, four National Concert Band Festivals and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Many students earn placements in District, Regional, and All-State Honor Ensembles. Robinson also attended the 79th annual Midwest Clinic.[12]
In 1991, Robinson was the center of an LSD trafficking scandal in which a drug ring sold more than 100,000 doses of LSD over two years.[13] The ring was exposed when a 16-year-old Robinson student shot and wounded a Fairfax police officer.[14] In the course of the investigation it was revealed that six Robinson and Lake Braddock graduates were receiving large quantities of the drug through the mail.[15] One of the men who was facing the harshest penalties faked suicide and fled the area, only to be caught two years later in St. Louis and sentenced to 24 years in prison with no possibility of parole.[16]
↑"Virginia High School Hall of Fame"(PDF). Virginia Coach. Vol.23, no.1. Virginia High School Coaches Association. February 2009. p.24. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
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