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Fairfax County families have several deadlines approaching as they prepare for the 2025-26 school year, including requests for testing support, applications for free meals and required student immunizations. The first day of school is Monday, August 18.
Parents and caregivers should also check SIS ParentVUE, where they can review attendance, grades, progress reports and assessment scores. One account remains active until a student graduates and can provide access to multiple children in the same family. Families with existing accounts should confirm that their phone numbers and email addresses are current. ParentVUE is also available through Apple and Android apps.
Testing support requests due in August
High schools will administer the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test to 10th- and 11th-grade students on Wednesday, October 8. Seniors will participate in SAT School Day on the same date.
Testing accommodations and multilingual support are not provided automatically because the College Board operates the exams. Families of rising 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders who need accommodations must complete the request process and return the required forms to their high school by Monday, August 4.
Requests for multilingual learner support for the October PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day are due Thursday, August 28.
Families must reapply for free meals
Applications for free and reduced-price meals are open for the 2025-26 school year. Families earning less than 185% of the federal poverty level may qualify for breakfast and lunch at no cost, along with possible additional benefits.
A new application is required before each school year. Students approved last year will retain eligibility for the first 30 days of the new school year or until a new application is processed. Families are encouraged to apply promptly to prevent a lapse in benefits.
Free summer breakfasts and lunches will remain available through August 15 to all children ages 18 and younger. Dates, hours and locations vary by meal site.
Tax holiday and immunization clinics approach
Virginia’s sales tax holiday will run from Friday, August 1, through Sunday, August 3. Qualifying purchases include certain school supplies and clothing.
Students must also receive all required immunizations before school begins. Vaccinations are available through family health care providers and Fairfax County Health Department clinics. The county offers appointments as well as limited walk-in service on a first-come, first-served basis.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs are providing free physicals and immunizations for children ages 5 and older during July and August. The events are limited to registered Inova patients who are uninsured or covered by Virginia Medicaid. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at 703-698-2550. Families should bring their children’s vaccination records.
School Board revises boundary policy language
The School Board adopted revised wording for Boundary Policy 8130 on July 17. The updated language addresses phasing and considers students’ grade levels when boundary changes are implemented.
The board also directed the superintendent to ensure school administrators communicate that placement decisions for special education students will continue to be made by individualized education program teams under federal provisions.
More than 3,400 comments were submitted during spring community meetings about the first draft of proposed boundary adjustments. No boundary changes have been proposed for the 2025-26 school year.
Summer programs mix academics with hands-on activities
Students are continuing to learn through programs across the county. At Graham Road Elementary School, students studying matter made slime as part of their lessons.
A new Production Camp through the Institute for the Arts is giving middle- and high-school students experience in visual arts, music, theater and dance. Participants are developing and performing a full-length musical in three weeks.
At Oak Hill Elementary School, Money Camp uses a classroom mini-economy to teach students about earning income, paying taxes, making financial choices and launching small businesses.
Kings Glen Elementary School students are exploring technology, engineering and environmental science through the CodeUP Summer Program, which is supported by a Department of Defense Education Activity grant. Additional family activities, safety information and mental health resources are available through the district’s Summer Resource Guide.
Students and community advocate receive honors
Rising seventh-graders Kristen King of Canterbury Woods Elementary School and Saanvi Vangapalli of McNair Upper Elementary School were named safety patrollers of the year by the American Automobile Association.
Blanca Carbajal, a Herndon parent and community advocate, received the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award during the June Equity Symposium. The annual honor recognizes work advancing educational equity in Fairfax County public schools.
District promotes education jobs
A school bus driver job fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Marshall High School. The district is advertising a $2,000 signing bonus for drivers.
Openings are also available in special education. Special education teachers are paid for an eight-hour workday, amounting to an average of $8,000 more annually than other teachers.
School Board selects new leadership
The School Board elected Sandy Anderson of the Springfield District as chair and Robyn Lady of the Dranesville District as vice chair for the 2025-26 school year during its July 10 meeting.
Proposed limited early-release Wednesdays for elementary schools have also been released as families prepare for classes to begin August 18.