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Fairfax County Public Schools has concluded that the football programs at Hayfield Secondary School and Fairfax High School violated Virginia High School League rules in 2024, following an independent investigation into student athlete transfers and eligibility practices.

The School Board hired Baker McKenzie LLP in February 2025 to examine allegations involving the programs. The law firm recently delivered its findings and recommendations to the board and superintendent.

School officials said gaps in FCPS systems and procedures, along with actions by some staff members, hindered efforts to identify and correct the violations. The review also found room to improve how the school division verifies new student registrations, evaluates athletic eligibility and trains paid and volunteer coaches.

FCPS began making changes in early 2025 while working with the Virginia High School League to revise statewide transfer and eligibility policies. The league adopted updated rules in 2025.

The division has since introduced Guardian, a centralized platform for collecting, reviewing and processing athletic transfer cases. The Office of Student Activities and Athletics now conducts the initial review of every athletic transfer, oversees compliance and provides guidance to schools and enrolling families.

That office also has the authority to review and independently investigate eligibility questions and concerns.

Training requirements have been expanded as well. Directors of Student Activities must complete annual instruction on VHSL and FCPS eligibility requirements, while newly appointed directors must attend the VHSL/VIAAA New Athletic Director Workshop. FCPS has also added athletics-related training for Student Services teams and school principals.

Additional measures are expected in the coming weeks. FCPS plans to apply common scrutiny standards to new student registrations and transfers within the school division, strengthen its investigative resources and protocols, and require eligibility training for coaches at every level, including unpaid volunteers.

The announced changes do not cover personnel actions, which are confidential by law. FCPS said the superintendent has taken or will take such action when appropriate.

The school division said the reforms are intended to reinforce fairness, integrity and continued compliance with VHSL rules across its athletic programs.