Article Text
Fairfax County Public Schools students posted gains in reading, mathematics and science despite the introduction of new curricula and more difficult tests, while the division also recorded a 40% jump in National Merit Semifinalists.
The academic results capped a busy week of school visits, community meetings, athletic events and regional and international discussions for Superintendent Michelle Reid.
Reid began the week at Back to School Night events at Crossfield and Greenbriar East elementary schools, where families, teachers and administrators gathered to open the new school year.
On Tuesday, she joined the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Board of Directors at Virginia Tech’s academic building in Alexandria. Regional leaders discussed innovation, workforce development and partnerships designed to prepare students for careers that may not yet exist.
That evening, Reid attended three athletic contests: Woodson’s junior varsity girls volleyball match against West Springfield, Robinson’s varsity boys volleyball match against South County and Centreville’s field hockey game against Oakton.
She returned to the Virginia Tech building Wednesday for an Educate Fairfax Board retreat. The nonprofit supports FCPS students and employees through community partnerships. Discussions covered long-term strategy, governance, fundraising and closer alignment with the school division’s priorities, including student opportunity, employee support and community engagement.
Later Wednesday, families from quads 1 and 2 met with FCPS representatives at Oakton High School to discuss the budget, safety and security, and the Future-Ready Index. The index is intended to give families a broader picture of student success by considering learning, belonging and real-world experiences in addition to test scores.
On Thursday, FCPS representatives met with the Dongjak District Council of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Their conversation covered digital literacy, capital-project planning, student discipline and organizational leadership.
Test scores climb across core subjects
At Thursday’s School Board meeting, FCPS presented Standards of Learning results for the 2024-25 school year. Division students continued to outperform Virginia averages on SOL and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program tests.
The FCPS reading pass rate held at 78% in 2023 and 2024 before rising to 79% in 2025. Virginia’s corresponding averages were 73%, 73% and 74%.
In mathematics, the FCPS rate climbed from 75% in 2023 to 76% in 2024 and 78% in 2025. Statewide rates were 69%, 71% and 73%.
Science results rose from 72% in 2023 to 73% in 2024 and 75% in 2025, compared with Virginia averages of 67%, 68% and 71%.
The latest gains came during a year that brought new reading and mathematics curricula as well as more difficult assessments. Algebra 1 pass rates reached 100% among sixth- and seventh-grade students taking the course and 95% among eighth graders.
FCPS also announced that 262 students from 19 high schools were named 2026 National Merit Semifinalists based on their PSAT/NMSQT performance. That was a 40% increase from the previous year’s 191 semifinalists.
Meal program reaches 198 sites
The School Board also received an update on Food and Nutrition Services, whose 1,295 employees serve about 110,000 meals each day at 198 locations. The daily total includes 31,500 breakfasts, 77,500 lunches and 1,000 after-school meals.
The department provided more than 7,000 meals during a snowstorm closure and served 161,000 meals over the summer. It has also introduced more than 20 menu items and launched new resources for students.
During the superintendent’s portion of the meeting, Reid reviewed recent school visits, Timber Lane Elementary School’s 70th anniversary and a ribbon-cutting at Wakefield Forest Elementary School. She also highlighted upcoming community meetings on proposed boundary maps intended to rebalance school capacity across the division.
On Friday morning, Reid attended a Langston Hughes Panther Chorale performance at the Hunters Woods at Trails Edge Senior Living facility. Choral Director Steve McBride led the concert for residents of the Memory Care Unit and Assisted Living community.
Students also shared a meal, activities and conversations with residents while learning about the facility. During the visit, Reid met former School Board member Ruth Turner.
At Rolling Valley Elementary School that afternoon, students, employees and families decorated a sidewalk behind the school during the Chalk the Walk event before gathering for a family picnic.
Reid ended Friday at Oakton High School’s homecoming football game against Woodson High School, where students, families and alumni gathered for the annual celebration.
On Saturday, she visited Langley High School for girls volleyball games involving Robinson Secondary School. The matches were part of the Dig Pink Volleyball Tournament, which connects student athletics with a broader charitable cause.