Quick answer: McNair Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school at 2499 Thomas Jefferson Drive in Herndon, VA 20171. It is one school community in two buildings: McNair Elementary for pre-K through grade 2 and McNair Upper Elementary for grades 3 to 6. The main office number is 703-793-4800. Last verified October 20, 2026.
McNair Elementary at a glance
| School | McNair Elementary School and McNair Upper Elementary School, Fairfax County Public Schools |
| Address | 2499 Thomas Jefferson Drive, Herndon, VA 20171 |
| Main office | 703-793-4800, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (attendance line 703-793-4747) |
| Principal | Elizabeth Watson, as listed on the school website |
| Grades | Pre-K to grade 2 (McNair Elementary) and grades 3 to 6 (McNair Upper Elementary) |
| Pyramid | The school website lists the Westfield High School Pyramid and FCPS Region 5 |
| Mascot | Mustangs |
| Website | mcnaires.fcps.edu |
Programs and support
The school website lists:
- Art, library, music and physical education
- Multilingual Learner services and an Enhanced Autism Classroom
- After-school programs, clubs and mentoring, including Origami Club, Garden Club and Morning News Crew
- An outdoor learning space with a pollinator garden
- Family events such as Family Literacy Night and Walk/Roll to School
Listed partners include the McNair PTA, Floris Methodist Church, Food for Others, Kids R First and Westfield High School’s Finish Strong Program.
A short history
McNair opened on September 4, 2001, with Susan Benezra as first principal, to ease crowding in the Herndon area. It was called McNair Farms Elementary during design. The building cost $10.2 million and was designed for about 900 students. A total of 856 students attended on opening day, and enrollment reached 945 by January 2002. It was dedicated on May 18, 2002. McNair Upper Elementary opened for the 2020-21 school year on the same campus. The history page does not say who McNair was. Source: the school’s history page.
Enrollment and school data
For current enrollment, state accreditation and performance data, see the Virginia School Quality Profiles (search for McNair Elementary and McNair Upper Elementary) and ask the school for its current count. Different sites rate schools with different methods, so compare sources and dates before drawing conclusions.
Which homes go to McNair? Check by address
Living near a school does not mean a home is assigned to it. Assignments follow FCPS attendance boundaries, not ZIP codes, street names or distance, and boundaries can change. Because McNair has two buildings by grade, check both. Before you make an offer, enter the exact address in the FCPS Boundary Locator. We can run it with you.
Homes for sale near McNair Elementary
If you are looking in the Herndon area, you can search current listings on our home search and set up new-listing alerts. For the wider picture, read our Living in Herndon FAQs. Then plan your offer with our guide to making an offer in Virginia.
Ask us for recent sold prices on the exact street you like. We will send them with the boundary check.
McNair Elementary FAQ
Who is the principal of McNair Elementary?
The school website lists Elizabeth Watson as principal.
Why are there two McNair schools?
McNair Upper Elementary opened in 2020-21 on the same campus. The original building serves pre-K through grade 2, and the upper school serves grades 3 to 6.
What high school follows McNair?
The school website lists the Westfield High School Pyramid. Confirm for your address.
How do I register my child?
Use the registration information on the school website, or call the main office at 703-793-4800.
How do I know if a home is zoned for McNair?
Enter the address in the FCPS Boundary Locator above. Do not rely on a listing or a ZIP code.
Talk to Glenn and Gift
Buying near McNair Elementary? Call or text 703-707-0334 or tell us what you are looking for.
This guide is independent information from Twenty-Three Homes. We are not affiliated with Fairfax County Public Schools. School programs, staff, data and attendance boundaries change. Confirm with FCPS. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- McNair Elementary School website (home, contact, features and history pages), checked October 20, 2026
- FCPS Boundary Locator
- Virginia School Quality Profiles
