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Fairfax County Public Schools is moving closer to divisionwide recognition for supporting military families while preparing to unveil another boundary proposal and considering changes to school start times.
The updates were among several announcements released Oct. 1, alongside information about the federal government shutdown, financial aid, school construction bonds and upcoming holidays.
Shutdown support and start-time survey
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid acknowledged that the federal government shutdown was affecting many FCPS families and employees. She said the school division would work to provide stability for students and pointed families toward available support resources.
FCPS is also seeking feedback on two possible school-start schedules. Both are intended to move middle school start times to 8 a.m. or later while supporting student well-being, accommodating transportation needs and limiting costs.
Because of those constraints, elementary and high school schedules would also have to change. Since 2024, an FCPS consultant has held five community forums and conducted two surveys. The latest survey is open to employees, students, families and other community members through Monday, Oct. 6.
Purple Star goal moves closer
FCPS aims to become a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year, a distinction Virginia awards when every school in a division earns or maintains a Purple Star designation.
More than 12,000 military-connected students attend FCPS. The division currently has 96 Purple Star schools and expects about 90 schools to earn or renew the designation this year. That would bring FCPS close to having 70% of its schools recognized.
Sixth graders take on Algebra 1
Highly qualified sixth graders at more than one-third of FCPS elementary schools are participating in a pilot program that expands access to Algebra 1.
Participation ranges from one student to more than 50 students at individual schools. Successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade is one measure under the division’s academic growth and excellence goal.
Reid also presented an Opening of Schools Report to the School Board covering the condition of FCPS schools, programs and projects during the 2025-26 academic year.
During the meeting’s Academic Matters presentation, she discussed efforts to prepare students for the future. Those efforts include building durable skills, helping students identify and advocate for their strengths, improving financial decision-making and providing learning experiences that create future opportunities.
New boundary map coming Oct. 13
October’s comprehensive boundary review meetings begin Monday, Oct. 13, when FCPS plans to present a new draft map known as Scenario 4.
The proposal builds on three scenarios shared for public feedback during the spring. It was developed using priorities informed by the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee after its review of community comments.
Scenario 4 will also be added to the Boundary Explorer Tool shortly before Oct. 13, allowing residents to submit feedback online.
Community conversations with Reid are scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, Dec. 5 at Churchill Road Elementary School, Dec. 9 at Fairhill Elementary School and Dec. 11 at Bull Run Elementary School. The events are open to everyone, with child care and interpretation available.
FAFSA opens for 2026-27
The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now available. College-bound seniors seeking federal, state or school-based financial assistance are encouraged to complete the FAFSA regardless of household income and to check individual colleges for deadlines and additional requirements.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid application is expected to open in late January for students who cannot complete the FAFSA.
College Access Fairfax plans to offer programs on the FAFSA, VASA and scholarships in the coming months. Its staff will also provide virtual one-on-one assistance to families completing aid applications.
Bond referendum heads to voters
An FCPS bond referendum will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 4, Election Day ballot.
School construction and renovation projects are financed through bonds rather than the division’s operating budget. Like a mortgage, bonds spread major capital costs across multiple years so current and future residents share the expense.
FCPS says paying for those projects entirely through current tax revenue would require a much shorter financing period, potentially putting pressure on other county services or increasing the need for higher taxes.
Employees and sustainability recognized
National Custodian Appreciation Day is Thursday, Oct. 2. FCPS highlighted Liliana Alfaro, now the building supervisor at Robinson Secondary School, for maintaining a clean and welcoming environment during renovations at Falls Church High School.
Alfaro served as Falls Church High’s building supervisor last school year and was named Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee.
FCPS also marked clean-energy progress during a Sept. 21 “Sun Day” event at Louise Archer Elementary School. The grassroots event showcased solar installations along with electric-powered homes and vehicles.
Scholarships and safety resources
The nonprofit ACE Foundation provides scholarships to low-income adults enrolled in FCPS Adult and Community Education courses. Awards help pay for tuition, books and materials in apprenticeships, business and information technology, English-language instruction, health and medical training, and occupational certification programs.
FCPS also reminded families to discuss firearm safety and secure storage with children. Gun-safety instruction is included in the curriculum, and the division provides information about security practices and safe storage.
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks designed to fit a variety of firearms.
October calendar changes
Schools remain open Wednesday, Oct. 1, for the evening-only observance of Yom Kippur, but important events will not be scheduled after school.
Schools and offices will be closed Thursday, Oct. 2, for the Yom Kippur holiday.
Monday, Oct. 13, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.