@BassGuitar there is a strong tendancy at NoVa schools for students to apply to UVA even if they are well below the top (10%) of their class. Rough guess, I think students from NoVa are about twice as likely to apply compared to anywhere else in the state.
They have a holistic review in their applications process. That means they look at other, subjective, things and don’t go strictly by the grades and test scores. But it also means that grades and test scores and class standing ARE still a factor, not ignored, and a solid essay or two probably cannot overcome a deficient academic record.
They want you to be at or near the top of your class, no matter where or with whom you went to HS.