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Fairfax County Public Schools is using the summer months to celebrate student achievements, prepare leaders for the coming school year and continue serving thousands of students through enrichment, meals and academic programs.
Willow Springs Elementary School students Luciana and Scarlett recently shared details from their trip to Capitol Hill after becoming national winners in the 2025 ExploraVision competition. Their team was one of only eight selected nationwide.
The students presented Electro-Buzz, a project that uses AI-powered drones to imitate bees and pollinate crops, to members of the House and Senate and Toshiba executives. They also met with staff from Sen. Mark Warner’s office and spoke with Bill Nye, who asked them questions about their invention.
FCPS also held its 45th annual Leadership Kickoff at Hayfield Secondary School. The four-day professional-development event brought together principals, assistant principals, student services and activities directors, and central-office leaders ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
Superintendent Michelle Reid addressed attendees about leading “in the light,” delivering results for students, employees and families, and making the school division’s successes more visible.
The event introduced a video series highlighting data-driven work across FCPS. Featured efforts included expanding access to Advanced Placement success at McLean, improving growth at Whitman, supporting food service across the division, raising reading performance by more than 10 points at Saratoga, strengthening attendance and belonging at South County, and increasing access to algebra at Herndon.
Keynote speaker Dr. Shelley Moore discussed inclusion, the need to challenge assumptions and the ways stories can shape beliefs. Mount Vernon High School theater students also performed “Find Your Grail” from Monty Python’s Spamalot.
At the Department of Information Technology’s summer picnic at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center, Chief Information Technology Officer Gautam Sethi presented employee service awards. The Department of Human Resources recognized DIT employee Tim Roberson as the May 2025 “CARES of the Month.”
The gathering also offered a closer look at the department’s work, including its Tech Support Desk and Teaching Materials Production Center. The production center supplies schools and offices with printing services and customizable promotional materials.
Free after-school programs draw thousands
During the Academic Matters portion of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Reid highlighted the Middle School After School program, which provides free activities five days a week at all FCPS middle schools.
Each school offers roughly 12 to 15 hours of weekly programming, with late buses available to transport students home. Across 27 middle schools, the program includes more than 940 activities and records average weekly attendance exceeding 15,000 students.
The activities are intended to support academic achievement, positive behavior, social development, relationships and community involvement. FCPS data shows correlations between participation and higher passing rates, lower chronic absenteeism, and fewer disciplinary and behavioral infractions.
A presentation also featured students and coaches participating in middle school track and field events, from the long jump to the 1,600-meter run. The program gives students opportunities to build confidence, friendships, resilience and sportsmanship while preparing some participants for high school athletics.
The after-school initiative supports three goals in the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: ensuring students are safe, supported, included and empowered; advancing academic growth and excellence; and providing equitable access and opportunity.
Summer meals and learning continue
Reid also recognized Food and Nutrition Services employees operating 112 summer meal sites. At the time of the update, FCPS had served approximately 31,000 breakfasts and 51,000 lunches.
Summer learning programs were also underway at Graham Road Elementary School and Annandale High School.
FCPS planned an instructional job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 23, at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The division was continuing to recruit special education teachers and educators interested in moving into that field.
The week included several arts and community events. Reid attended Westfield High School’s Summer Stage production of Urinetown: The Musical on Friday, recognizing the performers and stage music crew while emphasizing the role of fine and performing arts in education.
On Saturday, Reid joined Groveton Elementary School’s “Girls Rule the Court” group at the Mubadala Citi Open at Washington’s Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. The expanding national program introduces young students to tennis with support from school employees and parent volunteers.
The week’s activities closed on a reflective note about the different rhythm of summer and its value for rest and renewal. One FCPS employee described the season as a chance to focus on being “a human being rather than a human doing.”