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Fairfax County Public Schools ended the 2024-25 school year with its final graduations, national recognition for young inventors, employee awards and new signs of academic progress.
Superintendent Michelle Reid attended ceremonies for the Class of 2025 at Westfield, Falls Church, West Springfield, Woodson, South Lakes, Chantilly and Thomas Jefferson high schools. She credited teachers, administrators and support staff from pre-kindergarten through high school with making the celebrations meaningful for students and families.
Elementary inventors earn national recognition
Reid visited Willow Springs Elementary School on Tuesday to meet Luciana and Scarlett, two fifth graders named national winners in the 2025 ExploraVision competition. Their team was one of eight selected nationwide.
Working with fifth-grade teacher and coach Logan Williams, the students created Electro-Buzz, a project that uses artificial intelligence-powered drones to imitate bees and pollinate crops.
The students had presented their work to members of the House and Senate and to Bill Nye while visiting Capitol Hill to receive their award.
Twelve employees honored
At Wednesday’s FCPS Honors reception and ceremony, the school system recognized 12 employees for their work in school-based and nonschool-based positions:
- Andrea Edmonson, Outstanding Elementary New Teacher
- Emmeline Andrea Mejia, Outstanding Secondary New Teacher
- Justin Simmons, Outstanding New Principal
- Liliana Alfaro, Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee
- Daniel Matheney, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Operational Employee
- Raquel Joyner, Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee
- Deborah March, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Professional Employee
- Dominic Williams, Outstanding School-Based Leader
- Jay Nocco, Outstanding Nonschool-Based Leader
- Jason Ericson, Outstanding Elementary Teacher
- Andrew Sharrock, Outstanding Secondary Teacher
- Georgina Aye, Outstanding Principal
The recognition supports the workforce objectives in Pillar C of the school division’s 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
On Thursday, Reid also attended the Fairfax County Retired Educators Scholarship Luncheon. There she met scholarship recipient Diana, who plans to return to FCPS as a teacher.
Schools celebrate spring championships
During Thursday’s School Board meeting, FCPS recognized schools that won spring championships in sports and activities:
- Chantilly High School, debate
- Chantilly High School, League of Legends esports
- South County High School, girls outdoor track and field
- Woodson High School, Rocket League esports
- Robinson Secondary School, boys crew in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association
- Robinson Secondary School, girls crew in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association
- Robinson Secondary School, Potomac High School Rifle League regional championship
- Robinson Secondary School, FCPS boys middle school track
- Frost Middle School, FCPS girls middle school track
The district also acknowledged the coaches, program leaders and staff members who supported the students.
Advanced-course participation climbs
Reid’s Academic Matters presentation focused on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and dual-enrollment courses.
FCPS students took 46,083 AP and IB exams in 2022. The estimated total for 2025 is 56,690 exams, an increase of 23%. The passing rate has remained around 70%.
Dual enrollment has grown as well. In 2022, 4,083 students took a dual-enrollment course. As of May 29, 2025, 8,347 students were registered to take one during the next school year.
Advanced courses can help students develop college-level skills, strengthen college applications and potentially reduce tuition costs through qualifying exam scores or course grades. Students who take AP, IB or dual-enrollment classes are also more likely to finish high school, attend and remain in college, and earn a degree across a range of demographic groups.
Expanding access to those courses is included in the district strategic plan’s goals for academic growth and equitable opportunity.
Reading results show third-grade gains
Spring i-Ready results showed that 20% more FCPS third graders were reading on grade level than in the fall. Results improved in every measured area, with the largest gains appearing in vocabulary and comprehension.
The district attributed the progress in part to staff training and the implementation of Benchmark Advance, its new language arts curriculum. Reading at grade level by the end of third grade is one of the measures associated with the strategic plan’s academic-growth goal.
The School Board also received an update on efforts to strengthen school climate and students’ sense of belonging. FCPS schools are using community-building opening activities, social-emotional learning strategies and class-closing routines that emphasize accomplishment and future learning.
Elementary schools use Morning Meetings and Closing Circles, while middle and high schools hold Responsive Advisory Meetings. The district said students who feel accepted, respected and supported are more likely to attend regularly, earn higher grades, develop academic confidence and graduate.
Education leaders discuss funding risks
On Friday morning, Reid attended the Public School Leaders Network’s Legislative Breakfast. The discussion centered on three areas of K-12 funding considered at risk: Title I, school meals, and support connected to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Medicaid.
Reid and elected School Board members then attended the Advisory Committee Annual Report Summit on Saturday at the Gatehouse Administration Center. Committees presented work supporting the district’s strategic plan.
The week closed a school year marked by graduations, employee and student honors, expanded participation in advanced classes and improved third-grade reading results. Reid encouraged employees to use the summer break to reconnect with family and friends, return to neglected interests and make time for reflection.