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Fairfax County Public Schools celebrated a wave of academic, journalism and student honors during the week of March 9, including national recognition for 17 high schools and dozens of U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates.

The College Board placed 17 FCPS high schools on its 2025 Advanced Placement School Honor Roll. Bronze, silver, gold and platinum distinctions are awarded based on schools’ efforts to build a college-going culture, help students earn college credit and strengthen college readiness.

Chantilly and McLean high schools were also among 26 schools nationwide chosen for the 2026 First Amendment Press Freedom Award. The honor recognizes schools that teach and protect the First Amendment rights of students and educators, with particular attention to student-run media whose students retain final control over content.

Chantilly has now received the award for 12 consecutive years, while McLean has earned it for nine straight years.

Another 80 FCPS students were selected as candidates for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. They are among approximately 5,000 candidates nationwide and account for more than 38% of Virginia’s candidates.

Students from 28 Fairfax County public schools received the 2026 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County. Created in 2006, the awards recognize young people working as peacemakers and encourage the community to consider peace as both a goal and a means of achieving change.

At Herndon Elementary School, instructional team members Emily Keffer, Jamie Stratford, Jessica Penley, Ellen Leach and Kendall Helton had an article published in Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK–12, a peer-reviewed journal of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Their article, “A Sense of Belonging for Multilingual Learners,” draws on a multiyear lesson study conducted with Dr. Jennifer Suh of George Mason University. It examines culturally responsive assignments, collaborative classroom discussion and demanding problem-solving intended to help multilingual learners see themselves as capable mathematicians.

Students shine in competitions and performances

A Luther Jackson Middle School team earned third place in the lunch category of the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge at Hayfield Secondary School. Its entry featured Zesty, Zingy, Zen Bites over Rice, Crunchy Cukes and Pearls of Sunshine.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology won every state title for which it was eligible at the Virginia State Scholastic Chess Championships. Superintendent Michelle Reid made the tournament’s ceremonial first move and played a game against TJHSST Principal Mike Mukai.

Hayfield Secondary School hosted the FIRST Chesapeake Alexandria District Robotics Competition, which brought together 40 teams from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. FCPS participants included teams from Herndon, Langley, Chantilly, Madison, Westfield, Centreville and Marshall high schools.

At Annandale High School’s annual Special Olympics FanQuest, Annandale and Centreville students competed in an inclusive sports matchup before students, employees and community supporters. Annandale Assistant Principal Jae Lee said the event also included a halftime performance by the Adapted Theatre Arts program and Crescendo Orchestra, featuring students with and without disabilities.

Student performers were active across the county throughout the week. Woodson High School hosted a pre-assessment band concert, while Key Middle School’s Advanced Theatre class presented The War of Winter at the Gatehouse Administration Center. The play follows a dispute between Boreas and Demeter over winter’s encroachment on spring.

Oak View Elementary School’s sixth graders staged Newsies Jr. for a full audience, with students participating throughout the production.

Read Across America activities brought Reid to Aldrin and Daniels Run elementary schools. She read Peter Reynolds’ Be You to fourth-grade classes as part of literacy celebrations centered on students’ strengths, confidence and leadership.

Inclusion takes center court

West Springfield High School hosted Ballin’ with Buddies, an inclusive basketball event supported by student leaders, employees, community members and Unified Team participants from West Springfield and South County high schools, Rolling Valley Elementary School and Irving Middle School.

Reid also attended a fourth-grade boys’ league championship basketball game at Mantua Elementary School.

At the Northern Virginia Football Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, Oakton High School was recognized as the inaugural girls’ flag football champion.

Community discussions turn to AI, budgets and school policy

Parents and community members met at the Gatehouse Administration Center for the year’s third Strategic Plan Advisory Group meeting. Discussion centered on data connected to Goal 3 — Academic Growth and Excellence — in the FCPS 2023–30 Strategic Plan, along with the school division’s work involving artificial intelligence.

AI was also a central subject during a Community Conversation at Waples Mill Elementary School and a Quad 1 Family Vision Group meeting at Providence Elementary School. Other issues raised during the week included technology, safety and security, the academic calendar, instructional rigor, special education and the budget.

An employee meeting at Centreville Elementary School covered the budget, multilingual learners, staff retention and boundary changes.

Additional Employee Conversations were scheduled for:

  • Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Lemon Road Elementary School.
  • Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School.
  • Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Wolftrap Elementary School.

Community Conversations, generally scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., were planned for:

  • Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at Glen Forest Elementary School.
  • Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
  • Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
  • Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
  • Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.