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Fairfax County’s monthly early-release days are giving elementary teachers three additional hours to plan lessons, complete training, meet with families and help students who are chronically absent.

The school division scheduled eight elementary-only early dismissals this academic year, with dates varying by school location. Students leave traditional classes three hours earlier than usual on those days, although schools offer childcare so families can keep children at school for the full day.

The schedule has drawn scrutiny amid broader concerns about the academic calendar. Some parents and community members have pushed for more uninterrupted school weeks, and the school board has already voted to hold classes on Veterans Day next fall.

Parent Alix Fetch questioned why children need to miss an afternoon each month when many other school districts do not follow the same practice. She said families would benefit from a clearer explanation of why the time is necessary.

Last year, the early-release days fell on Mondays. After feedback that holidays already eliminated too many Mondays and that early dismissal effectively lengthened weekends, the division moved this year’s dates to Wednesdays.

The initiative initially focused on giving teachers time to complete nearly 60 hours of training connected to the Virginia Literacy Act, according to Mosaic Elementary Principal Mahri Aste.

Now, teachers can receive 90 minutes for individual planning while principals may devote the remaining 90 minutes to staff meetings. Schools also use the period to discuss county initiatives, meet with parents and provide recovery support for chronically absent students—those who miss at least 10% of the academic year.

Aste said the time ultimately benefits students by allowing teachers to strengthen instruction. Elementary educators must prepare for seven subjects each day while managing new mathematics and language arts initiatives, she said.

The early dismissals also seek to narrow a planning-time gap between grade levels. According to Aste, high school teachers receive seven and a half hours of planning time over two weeks, compared with about four hours for elementary teachers.

Roughly a decade ago, Fairfax County elementary schools dismissed students two hours early every Monday for similar work. A former school board ended that practice without establishing an adequate replacement, Aste said.

A steering committee that includes Aste, other principals, Superintendent Michelle Reid, teachers and parents has continued to review the current approach and offer recommendations.

Aste acknowledged families’ frustration with the school calendar but argued that eliminating the elementary early-release days would not resolve the larger scheduling concerns.