Article Text
Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved a $460 million school bond referendum on November 4, with roughly seven in 10 voters supporting the measure.
The funding will support construction and capital improvements across Fairfax County Public Schools, continuing the community’s long-term investment in school facilities.
State SOL changes draw concern
The Virginia Board of Education and General Assembly are planning major changes to Standards of Learning assessments and the state accountability system. FCPS officials warn the revisions could unfairly label schools and students as failing.
The school division points to its seven schools among Virginia’s top 10 high schools and its 262 National Merit Semifinalists this year as evidence that the proposed measures might not accurately reflect student performance.
Public feedback remains open through Thursday, November 6. The Virginia Board of Education is scheduled to act on the implementation plan November 13.
Student achievement highlighted
Students, employees and community leaders recently gathered for the 2025 State of Our Schools event, which highlighted academic achievement, partnerships and student innovation.
FCPS also released results from the 2024-25 school year. Average SAT scores exceeded both Virginia and global averages, more than 16,000 students earned industry credentials, and participation in advanced fifth-grade math increased by more than 10%.
Superintendent Michelle Reid also attended a cross-country meet at Herndon Middle School as part of her recent visits across the division.
Meal assistance remains available
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, benefits remain in effect for the rest of the school year and the first 30 days of the following school year. Eligible students and those attending a Community Eligibility Provision school receive free breakfast and lunch each school day.
Fairfax County has also assembled a Federal Workforce Resource Hub for people affected by federal employment or service disruptions. The county is home to about 80,000 federal employees as well as thousands of contractors. Resources are available for residents, government workers, military members, veterans, contractors, nonprofits and businesses.
Report cards include new feedback
First-quarter report cards are expected to become available during the week of November 5. Middle and high school families may notice revised teacher comments designed to provide more detailed feedback.
Teachers will also assign a quarterly Work Habits mark covering time management, organization, assignment completion and overall effort. The mark is intended as family feedback and will not appear on student transcripts.
PSAT and SAT scores released
Students who took the school-day PSAT or SAT on October 8 can access their scores through the College Board’s BigFuture School app or their College Board accounts.
Students who completed a makeup exam are scheduled to receive scores Thursday, November 6. College Board video tutorials explain how to access and interpret the results.
Eleventh graders who took the PSAT may also qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Questions about score reporting or scholarship eligibility can be directed to each school’s PSAT coordinator.
New programs support families
November is National Family Engagement Month, recognizing the role parents and caregivers play as children’s teachers, advocates and nurturers. The FCPS Family Academy offers learning opportunities and connections intended to make the school system more welcoming to families.
A new monthly Family Café series will begin with two evening sessions:
-
“The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together” will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 13, at Herndon Middle School.
-
“Introduction to Career Pathways for Students” will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, at Key Middle School.
The initiative supports the home, school and community partnership goals in the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Families seeking academic help can consult a Family Resource Center list of FCPS employees who have valid Virginia teaching credentials and are available for private tutoring. Families must contact and make arrangements with tutors directly, and FCPS does not approve or endorse the list.
All students also have free access to Varsity Tutors services, including weekly live online classes, round-the-clock chat tutoring, essay editing, recorded lessons, practice questions and diagnostic tests.
Free student immunization clinics scheduled
FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance will offer required school immunizations and optional flu shots to FCPS students without out-of-pocket charges.
Clinics at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center will operate from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on November 6, 18, 19 and 20. Another clinic is scheduled at Frost Middle School from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, November 15.
Participation is voluntary, and a parent or guardian may schedule an appointment.
Middle school students explore theater
More than 100 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students gathered at Key Middle School in October for TheatreMania 2025, a day devoted to performing arts.
FCPS middle school theater arts directors organized the event. Students attended four 50-minute workshops covering subjects such as stage combat, makeup, directing, choreography, puppetry and Shakespeare. FCPS theater teachers and professional artists from the local community led the sessions.
Student mental-health services emphasized
FCPS is recognizing National School Psychology Week and the professionals who support students academically, socially and emotionally.
Donna Desaulniers, senior manager of School Psychology Services, leads more than 200 school psychologists across the division.
Free virtual therapy is also available to every FCPS high school student through Hazel Health. Sessions with therapists who specialize in working with teenagers can be scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The service supports the school division’s strategic goal of ensuring students can access the emotional, behavioral and mental-health care needed to participate successfully in school.
Boundary review advances with one scenario
October’s community boundary-review meetings have concluded, but presentation slides remain available for families who could not attend.
Scenario 4 is now the only boundary proposal under consideration. The Boundary Explorer Tool also displays Scenario 3 strictly for comparison, along with current school boundaries.
Residents may submit comments through the tool until Friday, November 14. That feedback will be provided to the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee as it develops a recommendation for the superintendent. Every high school pyramid has a representative on the committee.
The School Board is scheduled to discuss the comprehensive boundary review during a work session from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 12.
November calendar reminders
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.