During a meeting on May 6, 1958,[6] Mr. Solomon made a motion that all future new high schools in Fairfax County be named for some prominent American, now deceased.

Both communities were in the Lee district of Virginia and a compromise was reached on a place name.

After the Brown v. Board of Education decision, Daniel Duke,[14] who authored Education Empire wrote: "Whether local school systems such as Fairfax County left to their own, would have moved forward to implement desegregation in the late '50s will never be known.

Like many schools in Fairfax County, Lewis reflects the increasing diversity of its student body.

Furthermore, an advantage of taking IB courses in Lewis High School is that students get a chance to receive college credit (although the more common Advanced Placement, or AP, program can also provide college credit.)

Getting college credit depends on the score the student gets on their IB exam, usually a 6 or 7, and the guidelines for IB transfer credit the college or university the student chooses to attend has (the same is true of AP classes and exams.)

Candidates must meet the chapter's requirement for scholarship, service, leadership, and character in order to be selected for membership.

Members must also maintain the chapter's required cumulative GPA and have a good understanding of the language, or specialty.

Irresistible, International Night, three pep rallies (Fall, Winter, Spring), class elections and balloting among many other school activities.

A student-run newspaper with a staff of approximately 20, The Lance covers news and events in the school, community, and nation.

The Lance won Trophy Class, the highest honor bestowed by the Virginia High School League (VHSL), in 2003–2004 and 2005–2006.

Recruiting to become part of the staff typically takes place in early February when course selections are being made for the next year.

Students are selected through a process that includes a written application, teacher recommendations, and interviews OR through successful completion of Journalism 1.

The Theatre Department at Lewis High School produces two mainstages a year: a fall play and a spring musical.

Lancer Theatre's Thespians, troupe 362 of the International Thespian Society, produces an annual Murder Mystery dinner show in September, a Lancer Idol voice competition in December, theatre parties, fundraising, and other community events.

To be part of the Thespian Honors Society one must collect 30 points in theatre, which are obtained by being in shows, seeing productions, and so on.

Lancer Theatre also has a Drama Club that is open to all current and alumni Lewis students.

Also referred to as the Marching Lancers, they attend all the varsity home football games and play during the halftime show.

Lewis High School offers an array of sports and sporting clubs, including Football, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, Lacrosse, Track and Field, Swimming, Diving, Wrestling, Golf, Indoor Track, Cross Country, Marching band, Field Hockey, Softball, and Volleyball.

John R. Lewis High School has a successful Track and Field program.

The Girls' Varsity Basketball team won the Northern Region title for the 2007–2008 season.

The Boys' basketball team had a notable alumni Sirvaliant Brown who attended George Washington University in 2001 and was second in the nation in scoring as a freshman.