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Fairfax County students will have fewer days off and more full weeks of classes in 2026-27 under a calendar approved by the School Board in an 8-4 vote on April 9.

The calendar reduces student holidays from a record 40 days in 2025-26 to 33 next year and adds three full five-day school weeks. The most significant change makes Veterans Day a regular instructional day again.

The approved motion came from at-large board member Kyle McDaniel after extensive debate over instructional time, federal holidays, early-release schedules and Indigenous Peoples Day. The board considered three motions aimed at making instruction more consistent and addressing broader calendar concerns.

McDaniel said conversations with parents and teachers showed that the current school year’s 40 days off had been uniquely difficult.

“We need to carefully review the school calendar to be responsive to the needs of our diverse communities around holidays and ensure we maximize instructional time, while still balancing the needs of our teachers for planning and professional development,” he said.

Fairfax County Public Schools currently has more student holidays than nearby Northern Virginia school systems. During the 2025-26 school year, Arlington County has 33 days off, Prince William County has 32, Loudoun County has 30 and Alexandria City has 29.

Residents raised concerns about the fragmented calendar during the public hearing before the vote.

Anthony Lampkin, speaking on behalf of his two children at Wolf Trap Elementary, called the existing schedule the “worst school calendar” and urged the board to use a data-driven approach. He estimated that only about half of the school calendar consists of full five-day weeks.

In video testimony, Stephanie Lundquist criticized a three-day week immediately following spring break. She said repeated interruptions disrupt learning and force some low-income families to pay for additional child care, calling that burden regressive and inequitable.

Kimberly Adams, an FCPS employee and parent, urged the board to restore a calendar committee and place student and staff well-being ahead of maximizing five-day weeks. She also asked the board to seek community input at least a full year before making proposed changes.

The board plans to continue reviewing its calendar policy in May. It also directed the superintendent to present recommended calendars for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years at the July 9, 2026, meeting.