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Fairfax County Public Schools students earned major honors in writing, music, science and journalism during a busy spring week that also featured community service, inclusive athletics, cultural celebrations and conversations about the school division’s future.
FCPS writers received 162 Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention awards in the 2026 DC Metro Region Scholastic Writing Awards, including 24 Gold Keys that automatically advanced to national consideration. Langley High School student Amenah Rashid became an American Voices Nominee for the speculative fiction piece “On this beach rots the bile of the sea.”
The performing arts brought another wave of recognition. A total of 217 FCPS high school students were selected for the 2026 All-Virginia Band, Chorus and Orchestra event, held April 16-18 at the Richmond Convention Center. Another 56 students participated in the All-Virginia Middle School Chorus event there April 16-17. Students from across Virginia earned their places through competitive auditions before rehearsing with nationally recognized conductors.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology student Ani Nishanian was named a three-time National STEM Challenge winner for creating BioSight Guardian. The artificial intelligence-powered system is designed to turn ordinary glasses into tools that analyze biomarkers in the eye for possible early signs of serious health conditions. Nishanian is scheduled to present the project during the National STEM Festival in Washington from June 24-27.
At Annandale High School, The A-Blast co-editor-in-chief Zoe Ligairi was selected as the 2026 Virginia High School League Student Journalist of the Year and recipient of the Col. Charles E. Savedge Scholarship. The honor includes a $1,000 award.
Ligairi has published nearly 75 stories over three years, covering subjects ranging from sports and student life to school budgets. Her influence also extends to work throughout The A-Blast, which has been ranked among the country’s top 10 high school newspapers at Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association conventions. The publication also regularly receives VHSL’s Trophy Class Award, an honor given to roughly eight of 300 schools statewide each year.
Madison students deliver a massive day of service
Approximately 6,525 students across the Madison Pyramid’s nine schools participated Wednesday in a Day of Service organized around the theme “Our Shared Home.”
Students completed 80 projects supporting environmental causes, charitable groups, local heroes and military service members on Purple Up Day. FCPS estimated their combined work at 391,500 service hours, the equivalent of about 44 years. Staff members and families contributed through direct participation and donations of supplies.
One Thoreau Middle School student said the experience created a sense of making a difference and bringing happiness to others, adding that performing acts of kindness felt like a privilege.
County budget decisions approach
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors held three public hearings during the previous week on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. County funding is expected to provide about 70% of the FCPS budget for the coming fiscal year.
Residents who did not testify can still respond to the county’s advertised-budget survey, which seeks opinions about possible adjustments, spending priorities, the direction of the budget and how changes should be handled.
Supervisors are expected to conduct their budget markup, determine the proposed package and set tax rates during the week of April 20. Final adoption is scheduled for May 5.
Budget questions also surfaced during several meetings Superintendent Michelle Reid held with employees, families and community members.
At Belle View Elementary School, participants discussed screen time, device use and the potential role of artificial intelligence. An employee meeting at Wolftrap Elementary covered special education services, inclusion, testing frequency, the school calendar, Algebra I and instructional practices.
Artificial intelligence was again the focus of a Quad 4 Family Vision Group meeting at Springfield Estates Elementary. A community conversation at Ravensworth Elementary included discussions about the budget, staffing, advanced mathematics, screen time for younger children and the calendar.
Two additional public conversations were scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 at Westgate Elementary School and April 22 at Crestwood Elementary School. Registration was optional but encouraged for planning childcare and interpretation services.
Classroom visits spotlight teaching and construction
Reid began a series of Tuesday school visits at Woodson High School, where she observed Algebra I and Geometry classes taught by Lynn Schmauder, Steven Schmitt, Billie Bergthold, Candace Tenerelli and Martin Terrazas. Geometry students used compasses and protractors to construct circles, while Spanish students in classes led by Kathy Marcos and Katrina Cohen practiced navigation through discussions, presentations, maps and other visuals.
At Olde Creek Elementary School, fifth graders in Rachel Cameron’s class combined independent work with small-group instruction while preparing for math Standards of Learning exams. Julie Rossman’s advanced mathematics students used hands-on methods to determine the circumference of a circle. Reid also observed small-group Benchmark Advance lessons in third-grade classrooms led by Sean Brock and Catherine Ly.
At Bren Mar Park Elementary, first graders in Kim Robinson’s class practiced decoding and other foundational literacy skills through Enhanced Core Reading Instruction. Ben Clock’s third-grade Advanced Academics class demonstrated differentiated mathematics instruction, including planning intended to support twice-exceptional students. Fifth graders in Tia Jenkins’ class used movement and group conversations to study area and perimeter.
Those lessons continued as Bren Mar Park underwent a major renovation scheduled for completion in summer 2027. Plans include a two-story addition, an expanded cafeteria and a new library, raising the school’s capacity to 800 students.
At Belvedere Elementary, students in Melissa Rimando’s first-grade class wrote about their spring break experiences. Beth Dillane’s fourth graders began a geometry unit by identifying angles, rays and other features in photographs of buildings and structures. In the gym, Daniel Bowles and Abigail Novak led two third-grade classes through a basketball unit.
Students experience music through vibration
A Wednesday visit to Canterbury Woods Elementary featured an “Instrument Petting Zoo” built around making live music more accessible to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Woodson High School orchestra students partnered with the nonprofit Music: Not Impossible to provide wearable harnesses that translate sound waves into vibrations felt across the body. Participants could experience a live ensemble through multiple senses while exploring musical instruments.
Several students said it was the first time they had truly felt a live musical performance.
Inclusive track meet more than doubles in size
Annandale High School hosted its annual Special Olympics Feet Meet on Friday, bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities for a unified track and field competition.
The event expanded from five participating schools and approximately 250 students the previous year to 11 schools and more than 600 students. Elementary, middle and high school participants competed in activities including 25-meter races, standing long jump and throwing events. An “Olympic Town” offered additional activities designed for a range of abilities.
Later Friday, Cherry Run Elementary held its third annual International Day celebration. Families represented 20 countries through food, traditional clothing, music and decorated displays.
International Day Committee Chair Neelam Noorani described the gathering as a celebration of the community’s diversity and an opportunity for families to share their heritage. Performances by students and the DC Hula Girls combined entertainment with cultural education.
The day concluded with Centreville High School’s production of “The Play That Goes Wrong.”
Weekend events connect families and schools
Saturday began with the Lancer 5K Run/Walk and Fun Loop at Lewis High School, supported by the school’s athletic boosters.
At Marshall High School, the annual FCPS Special Education Conference continued a community program that has existed in various forms for more than a decade. The 2026 theme, “Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools,” emphasized collaboration among educators, families and community organizations.
Educators and specialists shared approaches for supporting students with different learning needs. Keynote speaker Shelley Moore discussed how ideas about inclusion have developed alongside a deeper understanding of diversity and identity. Sessions focused on improving communication, expanding support and helping families navigate services.
Annandale High School later hosted the Military Connected Youth Field Day as part of the Month of the Military Child. Military families from across FCPS gathered for games, crafts and opportunities to connect.
Educate Fairfax, the school division’s nonprofit partner, also held its inaugural Dink & Donate for Education pickleball tournament. Led by board member Jane Petty, the event brought together staff members, students, families, alumni and community partners.
Sponsors included Burke & Herbert Bank, Down the Line Sports Center, Brandito, CSI, Guernsey, Design Pro Remodeling, Fairfax Ace Hardware and Merrifield Garden Center. Proceeds were designated for reducing barriers facing students, supporting educator innovation and strengthening community engagement.
Hundreds of young musicians take the stage
More than 700 students representing approximately 100 elementary schools participated in the Sixth Grade All-County Choral Festival at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
Students were chosen through competitive auditions at their schools and spent months attending additional rehearsals with their general music teachers. The long-running FCPS program was expected to be broadcast later on the school division’s Red Apple 21 cable channel.
The weekend’s musical events continued with the Mount Vernon High School Orchestra Music Marathon, the finale of a monthlong fundraiser. Reid conducted the student orchestra in a selection from the “Harry Potter” theme.
Mount Vernon orchestra director Alberto Rodriguez was also recognized after being selected for Yamaha’s 2026 “40 Under 40” class honoring music educators.
The Music Marathon and choral festival reflected the school division’s broader emphasis on extracurricular, co-curricular and leadership opportunities. Such participation is included in Goal 2 of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focuses on ensuring students feel safe, supported, included and empowered.