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Fairfax County Public Schools is warning families that planned changes to Virginia’s Standards of Learning assessments could have serious consequences for schools and students, including potentially unfair failing labels.
The Virginia Board of Education and General Assembly are considering significant revisions to the state’s assessment and accountability systems. Community members may submit feedback through Thursday, November 6, before the Board of Education acts on the implementation plan November 13.
FCPS pointed to its record of seven of Virginia’s top 10 high schools and 262 National Merit semifinalists this year as evidence that the proposed system may not accurately reflect school performance.
The warning comes as the school division also celebrates passage of Fairfax County’s $460 million school bond referendum. Roughly seven in 10 voters supported the measure in the November 4 election. The funding will support construction and capital improvements expected to affect students and the wider community for decades.
At the 2025 State of Our Schools event, staff members, students and community leaders also highlighted student achievement, local partnerships and the future of public education. FCPS reported that its average SAT scores exceeded both Virginia and global averages during the 2024-25 school year. More than 16,000 students earned industry credentials, while participation in advanced math among fifth graders rose by more than 10%.
Superintendent Michelle Reid recently attended a cross-country meet at Herndon Middle School as part of her weekly visits and reflections.
Meal assistance and shutdown resources
Families may apply for free or reduced-price meals at any point during the school year. A furlough, layoff, job loss or other income change could make a household newly eligible.
Once approved, meal benefits remain active through the rest of the current school year and the first 30 days of the following school year. Eligible students, along with children attending Community Eligibility Provision schools, receive free breakfast and lunch each school day.
Fairfax County has also assembled a Federal Workforce Resource Hub amid disruptions tied to the federal shutdown. The county is home to about 80,000 federal employees as well as thousands of contractors. The hub offers information for affected residents, government workers, contractors, military members, veterans, nonprofits and businesses.
Report cards and test scores
First-quarter report cards are expected to become available during the week of November 5. Middle and high school families may see revised teacher comments intended to provide more detailed feedback.
Teachers will also assign every student a quarterly Work Habits mark covering time management, organization, assignment completion and overall effort. The mark is for family feedback and will not appear on student transcripts.
Scores are now available for students who took the school-day PSAT or SAT on October 8. Results can be accessed through the College Board’s BigFuture School app or through individual College Board accounts. Students who completed makeup testing are scheduled to receive their scores Thursday, November 6.
Eleventh graders who took the PSAT may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Questions about score reporting or scholarship eligibility may be directed to each school’s PSAT coordinator.
New family programs and tutoring options
November is National Family Engagement Month, recognizing the role parents and caregivers play as children’s first teachers, advocates and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy is launching a monthly Family Café series to help families participate more actively in their children’s education. “The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together” is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Herndon Middle School.
A second session, “Introduction to Career Pathways for Students,” will take place Tuesday, November 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Key Middle School.
Families seeking academic help may consult a Family Resource Center list of FCPS employees who hold valid Virginia teaching credentials and are available for private tutoring. Families must contact and arrange services with tutors directly, and the list is provided as a resource rather than an FCPS endorsement.
Students may also use Varsity Tutors at no charge through the school division’s partnership with the company. Available services include weekly live online classes, round-the-clock chat tutoring, essay editing, recorded lessons, practice problems and diagnostic tests.
Free student immunization clinics scheduled
FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance will offer required school immunizations and optional flu shots to students without out-of-pocket costs. Participation is voluntary, and a parent or guardian may schedule an appointment.
Clinics will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
Frost Middle School will host another clinic Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates are expected during the school year.
Students explore theater at Key Middle School
More than 100 FCPS middle school students gathered at Key Middle School in October for TheatreMania 2025, a full-day performing arts event.
Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students participated in four 50-minute workshops covering subjects including stage combat, makeup design, directing, choreography, puppetry and Shakespeare. FCPS theater teachers and professional teaching artists from the local arts community led the sessions.
The event was organized by middle school Theatre Arts directors to encourage creativity and collaboration among young performers.
Mental-health support remains available
National School Psychology Week is drawing attention to the specialists who help students manage academic, social and emotional challenges.
Donna Desaulniers, senior manager of School Psychology Services, oversees more than 200 school psychologists across FCPS. These professionals work with families, teachers and school employees to support student achievement, resilience and well-being.
FCPS high school students can also receive virtual therapy through Hazel Health at no cost. Sessions are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with therapists who specialize in working with teenagers.
Boundary review enters next phase
Community meetings for the comprehensive boundary review concluded in October, but residents may continue examining the latest draft map through the Boundary Explorer Tool.
Scenario 4 is the only proposal currently under consideration. Scenario 3 remains available in the tool solely as a reference and comparison, along with the map of existing school boundaries.
Comments may be submitted through the tool until Friday, November 14. The feedback will go to the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee as it prepares a recommendation for the superintendent. Every high school pyramid has representation on the committee.
The School Board will discuss the review during a work session Wednesday, November 12, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Closures and early releases
Schools and FCPS offices will be closed Tuesday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
On Wednesday, November 12, elementary schools in 13 pyramids will dismiss students three hours early. The affected pyramids are Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield and Woodson.