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Fairfax County Public Schools reported progress on chronic absenteeism as the division moved closer to possible boundary changes, promoted a $460 million school bond referendum and highlighted student achievements across the county.
The share of students considered significantly absent stood at 9.9%, down from 12% at the same point in the previous school year. FCPS credited several efforts, including in-person flexible instruction, a Virginia Department of Education initiative designed to help students recover instructional time lost through chronic absenteeism.
Schools also received guidance on removing attendance barriers and maintaining two-way communication with families. Staff members have used the TalkingPoints app to share positive messages about attendance and student progress, while more than half of FCPS schools made attendance a focus of their School Improvement and Innovation Plans.
Boundary review advances toward recommendations
FCPS concluded its latest Community Boundary Review meetings at Irving Middle School and Fairfax, McLean and Chantilly high schools. Discussions covered review priorities, community feedback, the Boundary Explorer Tool and potential changes affecting individual school pyramids.
Each high school pyramid has a representative on the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee. That committee will help develop possible boundary scenarios before making recommendations to Superintendent Michelle Reid.
Reid will then submit her recommendations to the Fairfax County School Board. The board is expected to review the final proposals and vote on any boundary adjustments in early 2026.
Over the past year, FCPS held 44 community meetings involving 6,275 participants. Phase 1 drew 3,916 participants, while another 2,359 took part in Phase 2, Part 2.
A separate meeting was held Saturday for families in western school pyramids to discuss the new western high school. FCPS said multiple options remain under consideration for phasing in students when the school opens.
Voters face $460 million bond question
A school bond referendum was scheduled for the November 4 ballot, giving voters a say over $460 million in proposed school improvements.
FCPS maintains separate budgets for daily operations and for the planning, design and construction of school facilities. The construction program relies on voter-approved bonds.
The division said the average school nationally receives major renovations every 20 to 25 years, compared with about 45 years in FCPS. Proposed bond projects would support renovated learning spaces, safety and security improvements, accessibility upgrades, technology, outdoor areas, traffic circulation and energy efficiency.
FCPS facilities were also used for nearly 500,000 events outside regular school hours during the previous year, attracting more than 24 million visits.
The division planned an artificial intelligence event, “Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI and the Future of Learning,” for November 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at West Springfield High School. About 450 people had registered.
The program included an interactive expo featuring organizations such as Google, Playlab and Adobe Express, followed by a discussion about AI in education. Reid and Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi were scheduled to appear with Steven Butschi, Google’s director of education for North America, and Playlab CEO Yusuf Ahmad. Teachers attending the event could receive two recertification points.
Art teacher earns countywide recognition
South Lakes High School art and design teacher Marco Rando received the 2025 ArtsFairfax Education Award for creating exceptional arts-learning opportunities.
Rando has taught at South Lakes since 2011 and developed its STEAM Public Art Program with Public Art Reston and the Reston Association. Students move through a professional-style process that begins with a concept and ends with the installation of a large temporary sculpture on the Lake Thoreau spillway.
Participants present proposals for panel review and construct scale models to test how gravity, weather and other environmental conditions could affect their designs. The work exposes students to the artistic, engineering and fabrication challenges involved in public sculpture.
Military-connected students gain support
At a Military-Connected Youth Advisory Council meeting at the Gatehouse Administration Center, participants discussed challenges including frequent moves and family deployments.
FCPS has set a goal of becoming a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year. The designation recognizes schools that demonstrate sustained support for military-connected students and their families.
The division now has 145 Purple Star Schools, representing nearly 75% of its schools. Supporting a positive school climate is part of Goal 2 in the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Safe, Supported, Included and Empowered.
State of Our Schools spotlights student work
Hundreds of students, employees and community leaders attended the 2025 State of Our Schools event Tuesday. The program opened with performances by the Chantilly High School Chamber Orchestra and the Falls Church High School Guitar Ensemble.
Sixth graders discussed their participation in an Algebra 1 pilot program, while middle school athletes described how a new track-and-field initiative is encouraging teamwork and wellness. A high school student named Ryan also presented an essay contest created with the Embassy of Spain to honor Bernardo de Gálvez.
Reid provided updates on the FCPS budget, Capital Improvement Program, bond referendum and planned western high school.
The division also announced that its 2024 State of Our Schools event received an Award of Excellence in the Special Campaign category from the Chesapeake School Public Relations Association. The association recognizes school communications work in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Other advisory and community meetings during the week included the Hispanic Educators Association’s annual meeting and fall mixer, a Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce gathering and the first Strategic Plan Advisory Group meeting of the school year.
The advisory group, made up of parents, employees and community members, examined data connected to the strategic plan’s Goal 1, Strong Start, PreK-12, along with the Future-Ready Index.
Students take the stage and the field
Student performances and athletic events rounded out the week. West Potomac High School presented “Hadestown,” with theater director Omar Cruz praising students for their commitment and efforts to raise the program’s standard of excellence.
Lake Braddock Secondary School staged a contemporary interpretation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Director John Tourtellotte said stories about humanity’s darker and more complicated behavior can encourage audiences to reflect, understand themselves and work toward a better world.
Reid also attended a middle school cross-country meet at Herndon Middle School and a regional cheer competition hosted by Centreville High School, where FCPS squads showcased their athleticism, teamwork and choreography.