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Fairfax County Public Schools is advancing plans for artificial intelligence in classrooms while preparing to open a new western high school for the 2026–27 school year.
During an October 7 School Board work session, AI education specialist Babak Mostaghimi discussed how the technology is reshaping schools and the workforce. Superintendent Michelle Reid said the division’s strategy must introduce AI purposefully while strengthening critical thinking, collaboration and independent human judgment.
FCPS will continue the discussion at “Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI and the Future of Learning,” scheduled for November 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at West Springfield High School. The event will address the use of AI in teaching, learning and workforce preparation. Participating teachers can receive two recertification points.
The division also announced its 2026 Student AI Innovation Challenge in partnership with Amazon and Playlab. High school teams will create AI-powered responses to problems in their schools or communities, with no advanced technical experience required.
Winning teams will compete at an FCPS AI Innovation Night in December, and the highest-ranked projects will advance to the White House Presidential AI Challenge. Campus coaches who complete training will receive professional-learning credit and a gift card.
New high school could save an estimated $280 million
The School Board also reviewed plans for the division’s new western high school. FCPS recently acquired the former King Abdullah Academy property, a 33-acre site with a 355,000-square-foot facility.
The property already includes classrooms, libraries, fine-arts facilities and athletic spaces. FCPS estimates that using the existing campus will save about $280 million compared with constructing a school from the ground up.
The school is planned to open during the 2026–27 academic year and could offer new courses and learning opportunities across the division. Board members discussed possible programs and names, with another discussion scheduled for October 23.
Earlier in the week, Reid met families and employees at Falls Church High School to discuss renovation progress, athletic-field plans and efforts to reduce disruption during construction.
Impact Awards recognize 167 employees
At an October 8 ceremony at Fairfax High School, FCPS honored 167 employees through its Impact Awards.
The honorees included 24 individual recipients and 17 teams selected from 350 nominees. Awards covered four categories: Collaboration and Partnerships, Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Innovation and Improvement, and Student Achievement and Success.
Only FCPS employees may submit nominations for the awards. Human Resources staff coordinated the celebration with help from employees involved in nominations and selections, facilities and custodial workers, and the Fairfax High School team.
Division develops a broader measure of student success
At the October 9 School Board meeting, Reid presented an update on the Future-Ready Index, an effort to show families how FCPS is performing beyond Standards of Learning test results.
The index is intended to measure five areas: academic excellence; safety and belonging; future-ready experiences; strong teachers and support; and community investment. Each area contains five indicators covering subjects such as academic growth, graduation outcomes, school climate, student engagement and access to meaningful learning experiences.
FCPS plans to refine the index with feedback from schools, families and community partners.
The board also received an update on differentiated and culturally responsive learning environments, including the role of the Design and Construction Services office. Educational specifications guide decisions involving features such as flexible libraries, natural lighting and safer, more efficient traffic patterns around schools.
School infrastructure work is financed through voter-approved bonds rather than the division’s general operating budget. A school bond referendum is on the November ballot, with Election Day scheduled for November 4.
Other achievements highlighted at the meeting included recognition for the Community Relations team and Marshall Academy automotive technology instructor Rebecca Fenton. FCPS also reported 262 National Merit Semifinalists for 2026, a 40% increase from the previous year, and said the Class of 2025 posted SAT scores above state, national and global averages.
Families and communities weigh in
On October 10, FCPS held a Family Vision Group meeting for quads 3 and 4 at Edison High School. Participants discussed the new school year, the budget, safety and security, and the Future-Ready Index.
Reid also met community leaders at a 123 Club dinner in Tysons on October 7, where the discussion included planning around local economic challenges.
The week concluded with Reid participating in the Town of Herndon’s Homecoming Parade on October 11, joining residents in celebrating the community’s school traditions.