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Fairfax County Public Schools is celebrating 770 students named National Merit Commended Scholars, an 11% increase from the previous year, while preparing for major decisions involving its budget, facilities and staffing.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognized the students for their academic ability and potential for success in college, sending Letters of Commendation through their high schools.

FCPS students also reached a national audience when Langston Hughes Middle School and Annandale High School appeared on “CBS Mornings” as part of an “America A to Z” series marking the nation’s 250th birthday. Hughes students discussed what makes the United States beautiful, while Annandale students produced a performance of “America the Beautiful” featuring band, chorus, guitar, orchestra and theater-technology programs.

Hiring, enrollment and construction

FCPS has launched its 2026-27 instructional hiring season. A virtual information session on January 10 introduced prospective educators to the school division’s mission, instructional priorities, licensing routes, special education opportunities and application process.

The first in-person instructional job fair is scheduled for February 7 at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

On January 11, FCPS held its second open house for the new high school in western Fairfax County. More than 2,300 people, representing about 800 families, registered for the event, which focused on rising ninth- and 10th-grade students in the Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes and Westfield pyramids.

The School Board also reviewed the proposed fiscal 2027-31 Capital Improvement Program during a work session and public hearing. The annually updated plan includes two new elementary schools, modifications to the new western county high school, renovations at 16 elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools, and the relocation of modular buildings.

FCPS serves more than 180,000 students and maintains school infrastructure with roughly four times the square footage of the Pentagon. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the capital plan February 5.

Superintendent Michelle Reid is also preparing to present the proposed fiscal 2027 budget. Priorities identified in the district’s fiscal forecast include compensation changes required by collective bargaining agreements, enrollment and student needs, benefit-rate changes and higher contractual costs.

Students take on leadership, science and career challenges

Reid attended the Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program graduation at the Fairfax County Government Center. Participating high school students attend monthly learning sessions, complete a three-week paid internship with a Fairfax County or FCPS department and speak to middle school civics classes as program ambassadors.

At a Family Vision Group meeting for Quad 1 at Providence Elementary School, parents and caregivers discussed report cards, the volunteer management system and the budget-development process.

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Twice-Exceptional Programming also met at the Gatehouse Administration Center. Members reviewed the work of the 2e Project Team, finalized a protocol for student focus groups and discussed an updated committee structure. The work supports the district’s strategic goal of keeping students safe, supported, included and empowered.

Groveton Elementary School held its first Career Day, organized by its Advancement Via Individual Determination site team. Nearly 20 community volunteers spoke with students in kindergarten through sixth grade after being recruited based on student career-interest surveys.

Students rotated through sessions about different professions and explored how their skills and interests could connect with future opportunities. Preparations included career videos on the school’s morning news program, classroom conversations and a career-themed Spirit Week.

Reid later met with the Student Advisory Council at Woodson High School. The council includes representatives from every FCPS high school and provides student perspectives to district leaders.

At Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, FCPS honored nine students selected among the 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars. Eight attend Thomas Jefferson and one attends Chantilly High School.

Their research addressed subjects including solar storms and satellite communications, proteins that could help fight breast cancer, flooding and aerospace science. The Regeneron competition, operated by the Society for Science, is a leading national pre-college science contest.

Students presented more research at the Hayfield Secondary School Science Fair. Projects examined the effects of cold temperatures on baseballs, whether refrigeration benefits batteries, whether hanging bananas extends their shelf life and how focal distance affects DiffuserCam image quality.

Academic competition continued at a Scholastic Bowl hosted by Edison High School, where Reid watched South County and Woodson students compete.

Athletics and community events fill the week

Winter sports took Reid to several schools. She attended gymnastics and wrestling events at Lake Braddock involving South County, Annandale, Woodson and Alexandria City high schools.

She also watched Madison play Chantilly in varsity girls’ basketball, attended a wrestling event at Annandale and saw Fairfax face Falls Church in boys’ basketball.

The week concluded with a Martin Luther King Jr. worship service at First Baptist Church of Vienna, led by Senior Pastor Vernon C. Walton.

FCPS also marked the retirement of Nghia Tang, who left the Gatehouse Administration Center cafe January 9 after 19 years with the school division. Cafe manager Shobana Sen credited Tang with greeting customers warmly and helping introduce popular summer rolls, hoisin sauce and banh mi sandwiches.