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Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing families for major changes when classes resume Aug. 18, including new grading practices, tighter limits on personal devices and a revised schedule for elementary early-release days.
The school division also announced summer programs, vaccination reminders, free meals, employment fairs and several community initiatives for the 2025-26 school year.
Grading and cellphone rules change
New grading policies will apply to every middle and high school class during the 2025-26 academic year. The changes are designed to make grading practices clearer and more consistent.
High school students will face stricter limits on cellphones and other personal devices beginning in August. Phones, AirPods, smart watches and similar devices may be used only during lunch and before or after school.
Students will no longer be allowed to use those devices while passing between classes. They must remain turned off and put away during classroom time and passing periods.
Other changes to the Student Rights and Responsibilities address discipline data, parent notifications, hate speech and integrated discipline training.
Elementary schools will continue holding limited early-release days, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced in June. The early dismissals will move to Wednesdays for the coming school year, following recommendations from a steering committee that included parents, caregivers, school employees and central-office personnel.
Families urged to check vaccination records
Students must receive all required immunizations before the first day of school. Families can request records through the free Virginia Immunization Information System, retrieve records from another state or contact their health care provider, which may charge for copies.
Students entering seventh grade must receive one dose each of the Tdap, meningococcal MenACWY and HPV vaccines before school begins. The Tdap vaccine must be administered at age 7 or older, and the MenACWY dose must be given at age 10 or older.
Parents and guardians may opt their children out of the HPV vaccination without providing documentation.
Students entering 12th grade must receive a MenACWY dose at age 16 or older before school starts. Students who meet the applicable age requirements can receive the required vaccinations at any time.
Vaccines are available from family health care providers and Fairfax County Health Department clinics. The department offers appointments and limited first-come, first-served walk-in hours.
Inova Cares will also hold pediatric health fairs on weekdays and weekends in July and August. The events provide free school physicals and immunizations to qualifying children ages 5 and older. They are limited to registered Inova patients who have Virginia Medicaid or are uninsured.
Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 703-698-2550. Families should bring vaccination records.
Summer meals and learning resources continue
Children ages 18 and younger can receive free breakfast and lunch through the Summer Meal Service Program. Dates, hours and locations vary. Families with questions may call 703-813-4800 or email the school division’s food services office.
Online summer resources offer activities and guidance covering academics, camps, mental health and safety. Students also participated in programs such as Code Up at Kings Glen Elementary School, where children used binoculars during hands-on activities.
The division is also recognizing its spring athletes. Seventeen students and five teams won Virginia High School League Class 6 championships during the 2025 spring season, while additional competitors finished as runners-up.
Boundary feedback closes July 18
Families, employees and community members have until 5 p.m. Friday, July 18, to comment on three proposed school-boundary scenarios through the Boundary Explorer Tool.
A consultant will collect feedback submitted before the deadline and provide it to the superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee. The public-comment period began in May as part of the comprehensive boundary-review process.
Early childhood applications remain open
Qualifying families in Fairfax County may apply for Pre-K and Early Head Start programs serving children from 6 weeks through age 4 who have economic or educational risk factors.
Pre-K gives priority to 4-year-olds but also considers children who will turn 3 by Sept. 30.
Early Head Start operates at Clearview, Crestwood and Dogwood elementary schools. Applications are accepted from expectant mothers and parents or guardians of children ages 6 weeks to 2 years.
Space is limited, and placement is based on need rather than application order. Families may apply online, by email, by mail or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue in Falls Church. Questions can be directed to 703-208-7900 in English or 703-208-7901 in Spanish.
Disability resources featured at open house
The Family Resource Center will hold a Disability Awareness Open House from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Dr. Larry Bussey Community Library.
Representatives from the Community Services Board and Best Buddies of VA/DC will speak. A parent panel will also discuss experiences raising children with disabilities.
Colin Powell honored in Centreville
A historical marker honoring Gen. Colin L. Powell was unveiled June 14 at Colin Powell Elementary School in Centreville.
Students, educators, community members and Powell’s relatives and friends attended the ceremony. The marker recognizes his advocacy for young people, his military and public-service career and his years as a Fairfax County resident.
It is the fourth installation in the county’s Black/African American Historical Marker Project.
Nearly 950 apply for inaugural internships
The school division welcomed its first group of summer interns after attracting nearly 950 applicants.
The six-week paid program includes current students and recent graduates and provides early professional experience.
Families will also begin seeing a new login screen for applications such as Schoology this summer. Additional applications will adopt the design during the school year. Existing usernames and passwords used for SIS ParentVUE will not change.
Job fairs bring interviews and possible offers
An in-person educator job fair will run from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 23, at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Applicants can network and interview with school representatives, and employment offers may be extended during the event.
School bus driver fairs are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at four locations:
- Friday, July 11, at Oakton High School.
- Thursday, July 17, at Glasgow Middle School.
- Wednesday, July 23, at Whitman Middle School.
- Wednesday, July 30, at Marshall High School.
Bus driver positions include a $2,000 signing bonus. Other school-system jobs are available for both new and experienced workers.
Key dates approach
Virginia’s sales-tax holiday will run from Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. Eligible purchases include certain clothing and school supplies.
The first day of the 2025-26 school year is Monday, Aug. 18.
Faith Mekonen, a rising senior at South County High School, began a one-year term as the county school system’s student representative on July 1. She was elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council.