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Fairfax County Public Schools will reduce elementary early-release Wednesdays from eight to four during the 2026-27 school year, while also preparing families for a stricter cellphone policy, fall testing and several key calendar dates.
The early dismissals give elementary teachers dedicated time for lesson planning, professional development, training and collaboration. At Mosaic Elementary School, educators use the time after students leave to strengthen instruction and coordinate student support.
Graduates step into new chapters
FCPS is marking the Class of 2026 while recognizing the relatives, educators, coaches and community members who helped students reach graduation.
Among this year’s graduates are West Springfield High School runners Timothy Campbell and Kennedy Leary. Both were named National Merit Scholarship finalists, joining a nationwide group of more than 15,000 seniors selected for the distinction in 2026.
Mountain View High School graduate Trey Heathe has built a growing barbering business, renting a chair at a local salon while developing a social media following and business website.
At South County High School, Dexter Burris spent years working both onstage and behind the scenes through the school’s theater program.
Ryan McFaul is completing a public-school journey that began in pre-K and continued through age 22 at Davis Career Center. Staff helped McFaul and his mother prepare for life after school and connect with community resources. His experience also inspired his brother Justin to work for FCPS.
Three athletes are taking FCPS girls wrestling to the college level only two years after it became a varsity offering: McLean High School’s Kaelyn MacKay, Oakton High School’s Kate Crockett and Lewis High School’s Ashley Lopez have been recruited by collegiate teams.
The Asian Leadership Alliance, an employee organization, also awarded scholarships to three Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American FCPS seniors.
Schools and staff collect honors
Fairfax High School Principal Georgina Aye was named the 2026 Washington Post Principal of the Year for her leadership and work to build an inclusive, high-achieving school community.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid also highlighted the school division’s 2026 Regional Gold Level Baldrige Award. FCPS uses the Baldrige framework to evaluate and improve systems serving students, employees and families.
Students and productions from FCPS schools earned additional recognition at the Cappies of the National Capital Area’s annual high school theater awards gala.
Spring test results headed to families
Families will receive students’ spring assessment results throughout June. Most scores will be available through SIS ParentVUE, while individual testing websites provide translated reports and guidance for understanding the results.
Caregivers with questions about testing or how results are used should contact their child’s school.
ParentVUE also provides access to attendance records, grades, progress reports and assessment scores. A single account remains active until a student graduates and can display records for multiple children in the same family. The service is available online and through Apple and Android apps.
Families should keep their phone numbers and email addresses current in ParentVUE. Those who have not activated an account are scheduled to receive an email titled “Fairfax County Public Schools ParentVUE Activation Letter” on Wednesday, July 29. Anyone who does not receive it should check their spam folder or submit a Parent Support Request. After July 29, families may request a printed letter or replacement activation key from their school.
Free SAT and PSAT testing set for October
Every FCPS high school will hold SAT School Day and the digital PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families.
The digital SAT will be available to 12th graders, while students in grades 10 and 11 will take the digital PSAT/NMSQT.
Because the College Board administers the exams, disability accommodations and multilingual learner supports are not granted automatically. Requests for new or updated disability accommodations for rising 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students are due to high schools by Monday, August 3. Requests for multilingual learner supports are due Thursday, August 27.
Summer preparation courses are available through FCPS Adult and Community Education. Options include Math Part 1 and Part 2 classes, along with reading, writing and general test-taking instruction offered during daytime and evening hours.
Summer event draws nearly 2,000 people
The third annual FCPS Summer Extravaganza attracted nearly 2,000 community members, including more than 500 students. The event connected families with school employees and community partners through interactive activities designed to encourage learning, curiosity and creativity outside the classroom.
New lifeguarding course planned
FCPS will introduce Advanced Swimming and Lifeguard Certification at Skyview High School during the 2026-27 school year.
The course will be open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors from every FCPS high school. Students can take a certification test in spring 2027 and, if successful, earn American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification that includes deep-water qualification.
Transportation details between students’ base schools and Skyview are still being developed. Interested students should speak with their school counselors.
High school lunch phone use ends July 1
Beginning July 1, students at every grade level must keep cellphones, accessories and other smart devices turned off and personally stored for the entire school day.
The revised policy brings FCPS into alignment with Virginia Senate Bill 108, which requires schools to follow a bell-to-bell phone-free standard. High school students will no longer be permitted to use phones or smart devices during lunch.
Covered devices include smartwatches, earbuds, headsets, smart glasses and other internet-connected items. School-issued devices are exempt.
FCPS is also encouraging families to use brief, direct conversations when discussing difficult mental-health and safety topics with teenagers, including fentanyl and overdoses.
Final-day schedules and School Board vote
Wednesday, June 17, is the final day of school and will include shortened schedules. High schools will operate from 8 to 10 a.m., while secondary schools will run from 8:10 to 10:10 a.m. Middle and elementary schools will dismiss two hours early, with exact times available from each school.
The 2026-27 school year begins Monday, August 24.
The School Board’s next regular business meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. Members are expected to vote on a Standard School Year Calendar policy and motions involving instructional technology.
FCPS Adult and Community Education is also offering Apprenticeship 101: Core Construction Skills. The National Center for Construction Education & Research course covers foundational skills for apprenticeships and careers in electrical work, HVAC, plumbing and other construction trades. Grant funding has been used to reduce tuition, and enrollment is limited.