Freedom High School (Loudoun County, Virginia)

Freedom High School, also known as Freedom-South Riding, is a public high school located in South Riding, Virginia, an unincorporated planned community in southeastern Loudoun County, Virginia, approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of Washington, D.C.. The school opened in 2005 to serve the rapidly growing Dulles South region and is part of the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) system, one of the fastest-growing school districts in the United States.

Freedom High School offers a comprehensive academic program that includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and a wide range of extracurricular activities in athletics, fine arts, and student leadership. Known for its diverse student body and strong performance in both academics and athletics, Freedom is regularly ranked among the top high schools in Virginia.

The school serves students in grades 9 through 12 and draws primarily from South Riding and nearby communities such as Arcola and Brambleton. Its mascot is the Eagle, and the school colors are black and Vegas gold.

Administration

As of 2025, the principal of Freedom High School is Neelum Chaudhry. She has served in this role since 2021. Prior to becoming principal, Chaudhry was an assistant principal at Freedom, where she worked closely on student services, academic planning, and equity initiatives.

Freedom High School is part of the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) system and falls under the Division Superintendent’s Office based in Ashburn, Virginia. The school's administrative team also includes several assistant principals who oversee specific grade levels, departments, and programs including athletics, special education, and student discipline.

Under Chaudhry’s leadership, the school has continued its emphasis on academic rigor, inclusivity, and preparation for postsecondary success. The administration has also supported multiple community engagement efforts and school safety initiatives in line with division-wide goals.

History

Freedom High School opened in 2005 to accommodate the rapid population growth in the southeastern portion of Loudoun County. The school initially drew students from Broad Run High School, Loudoun County High School, and a small portion of Stone Bridge High School. The school is located in South Riding, a master-planned community in the Dulles South area.

The school’s name, “Freedom,” was chosen to reflect both the nearby Freedom Trail and a broader commitment to the values of civic responsibility and public service.

Overcrowding and Expansion

By the 2010–2011 school year, enrollment at Freedom High School had risen to over 2,000 students, well beyond the building’s original capacity of 1,600. To accommodate the overflow, part of the freshman class was temporarily housed at the school’s feeder middle school, Mercer Middle School. This stopgap measure became possible due to the opening of J. Michael Lunsford Middle School nearby, which helped redistribute the student population.

In response to ongoing population growth in the area, John Champe High School opened in 2012 to help alleviate overcrowding in southeastern Loudoun. Freedom continued to see high enrollment due to rapid residential development in the South Riding and Arcola areas.

To better serve its expanding student body, Freedom High School underwent a major renovation and expansion project prior to the 2015–2016 school year. The project added nearly 13,000 square feet of new space, including additional classrooms, science labs, and administrative areas.

Academic and Community Development

Since its founding, Freedom High School has earned recognition for its strong academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular achievements. The school has consistently performed well on state assessments and has sent graduates to a variety of competitive colleges and universities. Its Advanced Placement (AP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings have expanded in recent years to support college- and career-readiness initiatives.

The school continues to serve as a focal point of the South Riding community, hosting civic events, youth programs, and performing arts productions that involve families throughout the Dulles South region.

Academics

Demographics

As of the 2023–2024 academic year, Freedom High School enrolled approximately 1,998 students. The student body reflects the diverse community of South Riding and the surrounding areas. The demographic breakdown is as follows:

* White: 41.9%
* Asian: 38.3%
* Hispanic: 8.6%
* Black or African American: 6.2%
* Two or more races: 4.6%
* Native American: 0.4%
* Pacific Islander: 0.1%

Approximately 15.1% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch programs, indicating a moderate level of economic diversity within the student population.

Rankings and Recognition

Freedom High School has consistently been recognized for its academic excellence at both the state and national levels. According to the 2024 rankings by ''U.S. News & World Report'':

* National Rank: #735
* Virginia State Rank: #18
* Loudoun County Public Schools Rank: #5

Niche.com also ranks Freedom High School highly across several categories:

* Best Public High Schools in Virginia: #16 of 327
* Best College Prep Public High Schools in Virginia: #19 of 324
* Best High Schools for STEM in Virginia: #42 of 288

Freedom boasts a 99% graduation rate, an average SAT score of 1290, and an average ACT score of 29. Approximately 42% of students are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, reflecting a strong commitment to college readiness and academic rigor.

The school has also been recognized with multiple Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards. These honors, awarded by the Governor of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education, highlight schools that achieve academic excellence and demonstrate advanced learning and achievement.

Fine arts

Freedom High School supports a robust fine arts program, including competitive ensembles in marching band, drumline, and winterguard that have competed at the local, regional, and national levels.

Marching Band

2010 Season
* USSBA Northern Virginia Regional – September 25, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (Group 5A)
– Best Overall Effect, Visual Performance, Percussion, and Color Guard

2009 Season
* USSBA Northern Virginia Regional at Herndon High School – September 26, 2009
– 3rd Place Overall (Group 4A)
– 1st Place Percussion

* USSBA Blue Ridge Showcase at James Wood High School – October 17, 2009
– 1st Place Overall (Group 4)
– High Overall Effect
– High Music

Drumline

2014 Season
* Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) Circuit Championships at Freedom High School – March 29, 2014
– 4th Place Overall (PSO)

* WGI World Championships, Dayton, Ohio – April 10–12, 2014
– 7th Place Overall (PSA)

2011 Season
* AIA Regional – Broad Run High School – February 12, 2011
– 3rd Place Overall (PSO)

* AIA Regional – Potomac Falls High School – February 19, 2011
– 2nd Place Overall (PSO)

2010 Season
* AIA Circuit Championships, Chesapeake, VA – March 27–28, 2010
– 2nd Place Overall (PSA) – Silver Medalists, Finals Score: 90.488
– 1st Place Visual

* AIA Regional – C.D. Hylton High School – March 20, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (PSA)

* AIA Regional – Thomas Jefferson HSST – March 13, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (PSA), Score: 86.05
– 1st Place Visual, 1st Place General Effect

* AIA Regional – Mills Godwin High School – March 6, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (PSA), Score: 81.20
– 1st Place Visual, 1st Place General Effect

Winterguard

2011 Season
* AIA Regional – Broad Run High School – February 12, 2011
– 1st Place Overall (CGSRA)
– Reclassified to CGSA3

* AIA Regional – Potomac Falls High School – February 19, 2011
– 1st Place Overall (CGSA3)
– Reclassified to CGSA2

* TJHS Invitational – Date unspecified
– AA Class Win with program "Broken Hallelujah"

2010 Season
* AIA Circuit Championships, Chesapeake, VA – March 27–28, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (CGSN) – Gold Medalists, Finals Score: 83.45
– Captions: Equipment, Movement, Visual

* AIA Regional – C.D. Hylton High School – March 20, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (CGSN), Score: 72.1
– Won Equipment, Movement, Visual

* AIA Regional – Mills Godwin High School – March 6, 2010
– 1st Place Overall (CGSN), Score: 62.5

Demographics

As of the 2016–17 school year, Freedom was 0.4% American Indian/Alaska Native, 27.9% Asian, 6.4% Black, 9.0% Hispanic, 0.2% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander, 50.5% White, and 5.6% multi-racial.

Athletics

Freedom High School, known athletically as the ''Eagles'', competes in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) as a member of **Class 5, Region 5C**, in the **Potomac District**. The school's athletic program includes a wide variety of varsity sports and extracurricular competitions.

Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Wrestling
Girls: Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball
Co-ed: Golf
Unified Sports: Basketball, Track & Field

State Championships

Freedom High School has earned multiple VHSL state titles across several sports:

* Girls Basketball: 2009, 2010
* Gymnastics: 2018, 2019
* Girls Lacrosse: 2016, 2018, 2019

Baseball

Freedom High School’s baseball program is a competitive member of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) and competes in **Class 5, Region 5C**. The team has developed a strong presence in recent years through district and regional playoff runs.

In 2022, under Head Coach Mark Wrighte, the Eagles won the VHSL Class 6 state championship, the first in program history. The team dedicated their season to longtime community mentor Ronald Masci, who had served as a role model for players and families in the South Riding area. In the championship game, Freedom defeated Herndon High School 2–1, with pitcher Luke Proehl throwing a complete game and recording 13 strikeouts.

In 2024, several players were recognized for outstanding performances. Alex Suarez was named team MVP, while Jarred Peluso and John Phillips earned hitting honors. Pitchers Chase Walker and Matt Heineman received recognition for their contributions on the mound.

Freedom continues to be a regular contender in postseason play and is known for producing competitive rosters that reflect the school’s overall commitment to athletics.

Girls Lacrosse

Freedom High School's girls lacrosse program has been a dominant force in Virginia high school athletics, securing multiple VHSL Class 5 state championships.

In 2016, the Eagles clinched their first state title, marking the beginning of a successful era for the program.

The 2018 season was particularly noteworthy. Under the leadership of Head Coach Richard DeSomma, Freedom achieved a 9–8 upset victory over previously undefeated Atlee High School in the state championship game. Sophomore midfielder Emily Maier played a pivotal role, scoring five goals in the final. This victory marked Freedom's first girls lacrosse state championship.

Building on their success, Freedom repeated as state champions in 2019, once again defeating Atlee High School, this time with a score of 11–10. Despite significant roster changes, the team showcased depth and resilience. Sophomore attacker Allison Ohri contributed four goals, while junior midfielder Emily Maier added two goals and two assists.

Coach Richard DeSomma's exceptional leadership was recognized nationally when he was named the National Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year for the 2017–18 season by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

Recent Highlights

Freedom’s athletics program continues to perform at a high level in district and regional competition. The football, volleyball, and lacrosse programs have earned playoff berths in recent seasons, and multiple individual athletes have advanced to state-level competition in track & field, wrestling, and gymnastics.

In 2023, Freedom's girls lacrosse team defeated Colonial Forge 14–11 in the Class 5 state semifinals, continuing their tradition of excellence in the sport.

Standout gymnast Sydney Wrighte placed second in the all-around competition at the VHSL 2018 state championships, helping lead the team to a state title.

Rivalries

Freedom High School maintains several athletic rivalries, most notably with John Champe High School, Independence High School, and Riverside High School, all of which are nearby members of Loudoun County Public Schools and compete in the same VHSL classification or region.

The rivalry with John Champe High School, which opened in 2012 to alleviate overcrowding at Freedom, is especially competitive due to the schools’ proximity and shared community boundaries in the Dulles South area. The annual matchups in football and girls lacrosse often draw large crowds and heightened local media coverage.

Freedom’s rivalry with Independence High School, which opened in 2019, has also grown in significance, particularly in football and basketball, as both programs have competed for regional playoff berths in recent seasons.

In addition, Freedom competes with Riverside High School in a number of VHSL sports, with notable matchups in volleyball, gymnastics, and soccer. These contests have intensified since both schools emerged as perennial contenders in Region 5C.

Notable alumni

* Griffin Burkholder, American baseball outfielder in the Philadelphia Phillies organization
* Cameron Nizialek, American football punter for the Seattle Sea Dragons, played college football at Georgia and Columbia
* Ben Williamson, Third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. Played baseball at the College of William and Mary

Notes

References

References

Notes

External links

* fficial website/h1>

External links

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Schools in Loudoun County, Virginia
Public high schools in Virginia
Educational institutions established in 2005
2005 establishments in Virginia