Robinson Secondary School

History

Robinson was named after Medal of Honor recipient James W. Robinson, Jr., the first resident of Virginia to be awarded the medal during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Robinson, age 25, was fatally wounded under heroic circumstances in South Vietnam in April 1966, while serving in the infantry in the U.S. Army.

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, 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.

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. The grade 7–8 student body was 57.85% White, 12.13% Asian, 15.78% Hispanic, 6.45% Black and 7.80% other races.

Music Department

Robinson Secondary School has earned a reputation for musical excellence, with its ensembles frequently achieving superior ratings at state and national competitions.

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.
• 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.

Athletics

Main article: Robinson Rams

LSD scandal

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. The ring was exposed when a 16-year-old Robinson student shot and wounded a Fairfax police officer. 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. 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.

Notable alumni

• Dan Adams, former linebacker, Holy Cross Crusaders football, former NCAA record holder
• Bonnie X Clyde, members Daniel Litman and Paige Lopynski, electronic dance musicians
• Dave Brockie, founder, guitarist, and vocalist, of Gwar
• Shawn Camp, former professional baseball player
• Drew Courtney, former professional tennis player
• Andrew Dumm, long-distance runner, winner of the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon
• Steve Dunn, former MLB baseball player, Minnesota Twins
• Jill Ellis, head coach, United States women's national soccer team
• Scott Ellis, Broadway director; five-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy nominee; received the Drama Desk Award
• Dan Gill, former United States men's national artistic gymnastics team gymnast and current businessman
• John Gilstrap, thriller novelist and New York Times best selling author
• Mike Imoh, running back, Virginia Tech and Montreal Alouettes of CFL
• Lucas Kozeniesky, standing men's 10 metre air rifle, 2016 Summer Olympics
• Jae Lee (class of 1990), artist, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment
• Tristan Leigh, college football offensive tackle for the Clemson Tigers
• Kjell N. Lindgren, NASA astronaut who spent five months on the International Space Station as part of Expedition 44 in 2015
• Alfonso H. Lopez, former Obama administration official, member of the Virginia House of Delegates
• Javier López, former baseball player, San Francisco Giants
• Carmen Lynch, stand-up comedian
• Megan McCarthy, former international soccer player
• Rob Muzzio, two-time NCAA decathlon champion, 5th-place in decathlon in 1992 Summer Olympics
• Rob Olson, former international soccer player
• Joel Patten, tight end and tackle at Duke, NFL tackle, USFL tackle
• Alex Riley, professional wrestler
• Byron Saxton, professional wrestler
• Mike Schleibaum, guitarist, Darkest Hour
• Scott Urick, 2006 U.S. Men's National Team in World Lacrosse Championship; former Georgetown Hoyas assistant coach; current head lacrosse coach, University of the District of Columbia
• Chip Vaughn, football player, Saskatchewan Roughriders and New Orleans Saints
• Brandon Wardell, stand-up comedian
• Chris Warren, NFL football player
• Kevin Whitaker, former U.S. ambassador to Colombia

References

References

1. "Secondary School Administration".
2. "Our Namesake {{!}} James W. Robinson Secondary School".
3. "Medal of Honor Recipients".
4. (June 11, 2019). "Wells Fargo Cup for Academics Winners Announced". RealRadio804.com.
5. (June 11, 2019). "Robinson Secondary Wins 2018-19 Wells Fargo Cup for Academics". [[Fairfax County Public Schools]].
6. "Robinson Secondary Wins 2018-19 Wells Fargo Cup for Academics {{!}} James W. Robinson Secondary School".
7. (June 10, 2019). "Virginia High School League - Posts". [[Virginia High School League]].
8. "Wells Fargo Cup".
9. "FCPS - School Profiles - Robinson SS - High - Demographics".
10. "FCPS - School Profiles - Robinson SS - Middle - Demographics".
11. "Midwest Clinic Performing Organizations - Jam...".
12. "LSD Ring Alleged at Va. School".
13. Heath, Thomas. (1991-09-21). "3rd Man Pleads Guilty In Fairfax LSD Case; Defendant Admits He Sold Drug to Juveniles".
14. Howe, Robert F.. (1991-11-15). "1 CONVICTED, 1 ACQUITTED IN VA. LSD TRIAL". Washington Post.
15. (1993-12-18). "Drug Ring Leader Who Faked Suicide Gets 24 Years".
16. Goff, Steven. (June 11, 2015). "Jill Ellis played soccer with boys. Now she leads U.S. in Women's World Cup.". Washington Post.
17. Melnick, Kyle. (August 5, 2020). "As Robinson's Tristan Leigh finishes his recruitment, younger brother Aidan begins his own journey". [[The Washington Post]].
18. "NASA, Space Station Partners Announce Future Crew Members".
19. (February 2009). "Virginia High School Hall of Fame". Virginia High School Coaches Association.
20. "Head Lacrosse Coach Scott Urick and Associate AD Matt Rienzo Host Lacrosse Clinic at UDC Field".