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Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing for major decisions on its fiscal 2026 budget and school boundaries while confirming that limited early-release days will continue at elementary schools next year.
The School Board reviewed the proposed budget during a May 19 work session and was scheduled to vote on it at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22.
Boundary review enters next phase
Families can now use the Boundary Explorer Tool to see how three initial draft boundary scenarios could affect their schools and neighborhoods.
Five hybrid community meetings were scheduled before summer break:
- Friday, May 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Lewis High School.
- Wednesday, May 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Annandale High School.
- Thursday, May 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Whitman Middle School.
- Friday, May 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Chantilly High School.
- Friday, June 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Glasgow Middle School.
Registration is required. Child care will be available for in-person participants, while interpretation and translation can be provided as needed. Virtual participants should receive a Zoom link by email within 24 business hours.
Consultants will use an online system to collect comments during each meeting and display them in real time. The feedback will later be compiled, analyzed and posted as part of the Comprehensive Boundary Review.
Elementary early-release days move to Wednesdays
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid told the School Board that limited early-release days will remain in place at elementary schools during the 2025-26 academic year, but they will move to Wednesdays.
The plan follows recommendations from an Early Release Steering Committee composed of parents, caregivers, school staff and central-office employees.
Families urged to settle meal balances
With the school year nearing its end, families are being asked to check their students’ MySchoolBucks accounts and pay outstanding meal charges.
Households earning less than 185% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free and reduced-price meals, but they must submit a new application every school year. Applications for 2025-26 are expected to become available during the summer.
Families with current balances who believe they qualify can still submit an application for the 2024-25 school year.
Spring test scores arriving in May and June
Families will receive students’ spring assessment results throughout May and June. Depending on the exam, scores will appear in SIS ParentVUE or be delivered by the school or testing organization.
ParentVUE also provides access to attendance records, grades, progress reports and assessment scores. Once activated, an account remains valid until the student graduates, and one account can display information for multiple children in the same family. Caregivers should make sure their contact details are current.
Eleven students earn international science awards
Eleven students from Langley, Marshall, McLean and Oakton high schools and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology received awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair.
The achievements support the district’s strategic goal of helping students innovate and prepare for the future.
At Whitman Middle School, another hands-on learning effort has turned an internal courtyard into a home for a growing flock of chickens. The birds have become part of the school community and its curriculum—and occasionally poke their heads through classroom windows.
Graduation season approaches
Members of the 65th graduating class of Falls Church Academy’s two-year practical nursing program were preparing to graduate in June.
Families, students and staff across the district were also invited to share graduation and promotion ceremony photos on Facebook and Instagram by tagging the school system and their school and using the hashtag #FCPSgrad25.
Educate Fairfax is sponsoring an online alumni network for graduates, teachers, caregivers and community members. The network features stories, events, reunions and homecomings and allows members to organize alumni gatherings.
Programs focus on mental health and family skills
Counselors Karla Chustz, Rachel Copeland, Nina Ghafori, Christy Ryder and Beth Schires of Rachel Carson Middle School shared advice intended to help teenagers protect their mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month.
The Family Academy also scheduled an eight-week, in-person workshop on seven essential skills children need. Sessions were set for 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays from June 17 through August 12 at John Marshall Library. Advance registration is required, and free child care will be provided.
In a separate feature, author, former teacher and FCPS parent Hanh Bui discussed her journey from fleeing Vietnam as an 8-year-old refugee to becoming an educator and author.
Early-childhood applications remain open
Pre-K and Early Head Start programs are accepting applications from qualifying Fairfax County families facing economic or educational risk factors.
Pre-K gives priority to 4-year-olds but also considers children who will turn 3 by September 30. Early Head Start, available at Clearview, Crestwood and Dogwood elementary schools, serves expectant mothers and families with children from 6 weeks through 2 years old.
Space is limited and awarded according to need rather than application order. Applications may be submitted online, by email, through the mail or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue in Falls Church. Families can call 703-208-7900 for help in English or 703-208-7901 for assistance in Spanish.
Summer program deadline nears
Registration for district summer camps and enrichment programs was set to close Friday, June 6.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts camps will run in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Transportation will be offered from selected middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp gives current kindergarten through fifth-grade students a week to explore STEAM subjects, culinary arts, health, trades, business and marketing. The CTE Summer Academy provides a week of career exploration and skill development for students in grades six through 11.
The Institute for the Arts offers two- and three-week programs for students in grades six through 11, with nearly 90 options covering art, dance, music, theater and health and physical education. E-IFTA gives students in grades two through five four daily classes in dance, music, theater and visual art.
Puzzle hunt sends families across Fairfax County
A summer puzzle hunt organized with Safe Routes to School was scheduled to begin Sunday, June 1.
Online puzzles will direct participants to a Fairfax County location, where they can discover more clues leading to a final challenge. Those who submit the correct final answer will be entered for a chance to win a prize.
The puzzles combine logic, creative thinking and wordplay with lessons about bicycle and pedestrian safety. Participants may work alone or form teams.
Schools and school offices will be closed Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day.