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Fairfax County Public Schools is approaching summer with a packed stretch of graduations, student achievements, employee honors and plans for new classroom resources.
Graduation ceremonies across the division have highlighted the work of the Class of 2026 and the teachers, support staff, families, coaches and community members who helped students reach the milestone.
Recent ceremonies included Langley, Justice, Annandale, Madison, McLean, Westfield, Centreville and Herndon high schools; Robinson and Lake Braddock secondary schools; and Fairfax County Adult High School.
Behind the scenes, Warehouse Operations delivered 13,275 chairs and 405 tables for graduations, promotions and other end-of-year events. The team also transported and collected graduation materials and event supplies for FCPS high schools.
Seniors stand out in sports
Two graduating athletes were among the seniors recognized during the closing weeks of school.
Lewis High School graduate Sam Valle Reyes played varsity soccer and is a member of Honduras’ under-20 national team. He recently traveled to Alicante, Spain, for scrimmages against the under-20 teams of England, Croatia and Spain, returning in time to graduate June 9.
South County High School senior Yamato Bibb qualified to represent Special Olympics Area 26 at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Richmond on June 5 and 6. His qualification followed competitions in Oakton, Sterling and at George Mason University.
Bibb entered the 25- and 50-yard breaststroke and the 50-yard freestyle. He won gold in the 50-yard breaststroke while setting a personal record and placed sixth in the 50-yard freestyle, despite getting little sleep after South County’s All-Night Grad Party.
Elementary schools showcase distinct successes
Three nearby elementary schools were featured for programs reflecting different aspects of student and community growth.
Wolftrap Elementary students demonstrated their progress through Portrait of a Graduate presentations. Franklin Sherman Elementary highlighted how inclusive classrooms can empower students, while Freedom Hill Elementary brought together past and present voices to mark the school’s 75th anniversary.
Students at Lemon Road and Haycock elementary schools also received attention for their work in FCPS’ elementary Algebra 1 pilot program. Participants tackled three-variable equations along with honors-level quizzes and tests, demonstrating resilience and goal-directed learning.
FCPS is preparing to adopt new instructional materials for middle-school Math 6 through Algebra 2 for the 2026-27 academic year. A committee of teachers, administrators and community members reviewed submissions from vendors.
The public may examine the proposed resources and submit feedback from June 13 through July 12.
Forestville team places third in world competition
A seven-member team of fourth graders from Forestville Elementary School finished third at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, held in May at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
The students designed and operated a train that traveled through a course and collected cargo at multiple stops. Once gathered, the cargo had to be assembled into a work of art.
Three other FCPS teams competed in the international finals. Kilmer and Twain middle schools each placed 15th in their respective categories, while Clermont Elementary School finished 18th.
The competition develops creative and critical-thinking abilities connected to the academic growth and excellence goal in the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Student performers capture 27 Cappies awards
FCPS theater and journalism students won 27 categories at the Cappies of the National Capital Area gala at Constitution Hall in Washington.
The Critics and Awards Program, which began in FCPS and has since expanded internationally, recognizes high school theater and journalism students as well as teenage playwrights. Participating schools select teams of three to nine student critics, who determine the nominees placed on ballots across 42 award categories.
Winners were announced at the annual gala, a high-school theater celebration modeled on the Tony Awards.
Kent Gardens chapter earns regional recognition
Kent Gardens Elementary School’s first Best Buddies chapter was named the top elementary-school chapter in Virginia and Washington after a year focused on friendship, inclusion and belonging.
The effort was led by Special Education Department Chair Aliceson Wirth and speech-language pathologist Emily Vayo. The school marked the chapter’s first year with a Best Buddies Field Day and a visit from South Lakes High School alumna Nicky Kandola, the current Miss U.S. International.
Kandola, a former Best Buddies participant, shared her children’s book, helped students make sashes and “crowned” each student during the celebration.
Twelve employees receive FCPS Honors
Twelve school-based and division-level employees were recognized during the FCPS Honors reception and ceremony:
- Clark Levine of Haycock Elementary School, Outstanding Elementary New Teacher.
- Charlotte Smith of Whitman Middle School, Outstanding Secondary New Teacher.
- Lindsey Kearns of Lake Braddock Secondary School, Outstanding New Principal.
- Kimberly Roma of Spring Hill Elementary School, Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee.
- Kevin Brown of Woodson Food Services Warehouse, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Operational Employee.
- Cori Lonnett of Bonnie Brae Elementary School, Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee.
- Purvis Dawson of the Chief Safety and Security Office, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Professional Employee.
- Tricia Wayland of Bailey’s Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, Outstanding School-Based Leader.
- Melissa DeAngelo of the Chief Operating Office, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Leader.
- Amanda Blevins of Mosaic Elementary School, Outstanding Elementary Teacher.
- Scott McCormick of Langley High School, Outstanding Secondary Teacher.
- Rashida Green of Bucknell Elementary School, Outstanding Principal.
The awards support the division’s goal of maintaining a diverse, adaptable and supported workforce, identified as Pillar C of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Graduating seniors planning careers in education were also honored at the Fairfax County Retired Educators’ annual scholarship luncheon.
Alternative assessments replace most traditional tests
FCPS leaders also presented an update on Local Alternative Assessments and the Civics in Action program during a School Board meeting.
The division is in the fifth year of its School Division of Innovation designation from the Virginia Board of Education. That status gives FCPS flexibility to use approved alternatives that measure student learning while supporting college, career and civic readiness.
Those practices include local alternative assessments instead of Standards of Learning tests in fourth-grade Virginia Studies and eighth-grade Civics and Economics. High school students can also use performance assessments to meet state requirements for verified credits in social studies and writing.
Presentations of Learning are intended to promote equitable access, opportunity and outcomes.
Traditional SOL exams account for less than 1% of writing assessments and fewer than 2% of history and social-science assessments completed by FCPS students seeking verified credits. Most students instead demonstrate proficiency through performance-based assessments, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, and other state-approved measures.
More than 90% of students divisionwide successfully earn verified credits through those alternatives. During the 2024-25 school year, approximately 18,000 students earned writing credits through alternative assessments, while about 23,000 high school students did so in history and social science.
Advanced Placement Human Geography has also served as an approved verified-credit option since the 2023-24 school year.
In middle-school civics classes, students are connecting lessons with current events by building hands-on museum exhibits. The projects allow students to choose their subjects while practicing analysis, communication and critical thinking.
The closing stretch of the academic year also included a School Board retreat and an Advisory Committee Summit at the Gatehouse Administration Center, where committee members provided feedback on the division’s work.