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Fairfax County Public Schools is celebrating a major academic milestone while preparing for consequential budget, construction and hiring decisions. The division announced that 770 students were named National Merit Commended Scholars, an 11% increase from the previous year.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizes Commended Scholars for their academic ability and potential for success in college. Students received letters of commendation through their high schools.
FCPS students also appeared on a national broadcast Thursday as part of an “America A to Z” celebration of the country’s 250th birthday. Langston Hughes Middle School students discussed what makes the United States beautiful, while band, chorus, guitar, orchestra and technical theater students from Annandale High School produced a performance of “America the Beautiful.”
Hiring and construction plans move forward
The school division has launched its instructional hiring season for 2026-27. A virtual information session held January 10 introduced prospective educators to FCPS priorities, licensing pathways, special education positions and the application process.
The first in-person instructional job fair is scheduled for February 7 at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
FCPS also held a January 11 open house at 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.
Meanwhile, the School Board reviewed the proposed fiscal 2027-31 Capital Improvement Program during a work session and public hearing. The plan includes two new elementary schools, modifications to the 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 facilities with total space comparable to roughly four Pentagons. The board is scheduled to vote on the capital plan February 5.
The superintendent is also preparing to present the proposed fiscal 2027 budget. Priorities include compensation changes required by collective bargaining agreements, enrollment and student needs, employee benefit rates and higher contractual costs.
Students explore leadership, science and careers
High school students graduated Wednesday from the Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program at the Fairfax County Government Center. Participants attend monthly learning sessions, complete a three-week paid internship with a county or FCPS department and speak to middle school civics classes as program ambassadors.
A Family Vision Group meeting that evening at Providence Elementary School covered report cards, the volunteer management system and the budget-development process.
On Thursday, the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Twice-Exceptional Programming reviewed the work of its project team, finalized a protocol for student focus groups and discussed an updated committee structure. The initiative supports FCPS efforts to improve academic inclusion and engagement under its 2023-30 strategic plan.
Groveton Elementary School held its first Career Day on Friday. The school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination team recruited nearly 20 community volunteers based on student interest surveys. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade rotated through sessions about different professions and the connections between their interests, skills and possible careers.
Students prepared through career videos, classroom conversations and a career-themed Spirit Week.
At Woodson High School, members of the Student Advisory Council participated in a question-and-answer session about their experiences and ideas. The council includes representatives from every FCPS high school.
Nine FCPS students were among the 300 scholars selected nationally in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Eight attend Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and one attends Chantilly High School.
Their research addressed subjects including solar storms and satellite communications, proteins with potential relevance to breast cancer, flooding and aerospace technology. The competition, operated by the Society for Science, is one of the country’s leading pre-college science programs.
Students presented more research Saturday at the Hayfield Secondary School Science Fair. Projects examined how cold temperatures affect baseballs, whether refrigerated storage benefits batteries, whether hanging bananas extends their freshness and how focal distance influences DiffuserCam image quality.
The superintendent also attended the Scholastic Bowl at Edison High School, including a competition between South County and Woodson high schools.
Athletics and community service highlighted
Several winter sporting events were part of the week’s schedule. Lake Braddock hosted gymnastics and wrestling involving South County, Annandale, Woodson and Alexandria City high schools. Other stops included a Madison-Chantilly varsity girls’ basketball game, wrestling at Annandale High School and a Fairfax-Falls Church boys’ basketball game.
The week also marked the retirement of Nghia Tang, who left FCPS on January 9 after 19 years at the Gatehouse Administration Center cafe. Cafe manager Shobana Sen remembered Tang for greeting customers warmly and helping introduce summer rolls with hoisin sauce and bánh mì sandwiches.
The superintendent concluded the weekend at a Martin Luther King Jr. worship service at First Baptist Church of Vienna, recognizing Senior Pastor Vernon C. Walton for his support of FCPS students, employees and families.