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Fairfax County Public Schools began the new school year with 99.7% of positions considered critical to opening schools filled, the division’s highest rate in three years.

On the first day, students checked out 82,000 devices, while cafeterias served more than 74,000 breakfasts and lunches. About 96% of buses covering nearly 6,000 routes arrived on time. Bus driver vacancies fell 48% from the same point last year, dropping from 126 to 65.

Superintendent Michelle Reid visited nine schools Monday as students returned to classrooms. Beginning at Centreville High School at 4:45 a.m., she continued to Falls Church, Annandale and Lewis high schools before stopping at Woodlawn and Saratoga elementary schools, South County Middle School, Orange Hunt Elementary School and Little Run Elementary School.

Reid said she saw staff welcoming students and families while creating supportive classroom environments. The opening also marked the beginning of the third year of the division’s 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which centers on excellence, equity and opportunity.

Her school visits continued Tuesday at Herndon Middle School and McNair, Coates, Navy, Freedom Hill, Shrevewood and Bailey’s elementary schools. That evening, she attended a girls volleyball scrimmage between South Lakes High School and Robinson Secondary School. On Wednesday evening, she watched Madison High School scrimmage John Champe High School.

During a Wednesday breakfast with the Rotary Club of Herndon, Reid highlighted the FCPS Bookmobile’s delivery of more than 1,000 donated books to county students over the summer. The effort received support from the Rotary Club, the RoSigle Foundation, local businesses and community members.

The week also included several events connecting families with schools. Reid attended a potluck and cookout at Chesterbrook Elementary and visited Churchill Road Elementary on Wednesday. She joined back-to-school nights at Frost Middle School and Madison High School on Thursday, then attended White Oaks Elementary School’s Welcome Back Block Party on Friday.

Reid credited educators, transportation workers, food service employees and other support staff with helping the school year begin smoothly and meeting students’ needs across the division.