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Fairfax County Public Schools marked the completion of a sweeping renovation at Frost Middle School while students, families and staff continued raising concerns about the division’s underfunded fiscal 2026 budget.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Frost celebrated a phased capital project financed through voter-approved bonds in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The work added 63,487 square feet and included a two-story classroom wing, a library and music addition, new administrative and classroom space, and an expanded gymnasium.
The existing building also received new doors, windows, finishes, roofing, food-service and classroom equipment. Crews upgraded its mechanical, plumbing, electrical, lighting, communications, data, fire alarm and security systems, installed a sprinkler system and made accessibility improvements. Students performed during the ceremony and shared how they are using the renovated spaces.
The celebration came during a week in which Superintendent Michelle Reid met with student journalists to discuss the county’s advertised fiscal 2026 budget, which she said leaves FCPS underfunded by $150 million.
Two dozen student reporters representing nearly every FCPS high school attended the roundtable. Their questions addressed possible effects on teacher recruitment and retention, school safety and security, and multiyear investments such as early-childhood education. Community feedback on the county budget was being accepted through April 24 via a survey and public hearings.
Budget constraints were also among the issues discussed during a Community Conversation at Greenbriar West Elementary School. Participants raised concerns about overcrowding, transportation, curriculum changes and the county support needed to preserve athletics and after-school programs.
At a Quad 4 Family Vision Group meeting at Springfield Estates Elementary School, families discussed the fiscal 2026 budget, the comprehensive boundary review and FCPS’ goal of having every student complete Algebra I by eighth grade.
Additional Community Conversations were scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 21 at Mount Eagle Elementary School and April 23 at Mason Crest Elementary School. Registration was preferred but not required.
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee also met Friday to review the process and proposed changes under Scenario 1, which addresses attendance islands around Fairfax County.
Students earn major science and music honors
Six FCPS students behind four projects received grand prizes at the Virginia State Science Fair in Charlottesville, where 62 division students participated.
Sarah Park of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was honored for an AI-powered infrared spectroscopy project focused on noninvasive blood-glucose monitoring.
Marshall High School student Alina Albeik won for research into the effects of resveratrol on memory retention in Dugesia tigrina.
Thomas Jefferson students Nikhil Krishna and Nived Nandakumar received a grand prize for a three-model machine-learning framework designed to identify space debris, predict its orbit and evaluate collision risks.
Thomas Jefferson students Anush Devkar and Ansh Malhotra were recognized for BrailleSense, a modular and affordable approach to accessible Braille displays.
The six students became eligible for the International Science and Engineering Festival in Columbus, Ohio, from May 11 through 16.
Another 182 FCPS students were selected for the 2025 All-Virginia Band, Chorus and Orchestra event, scheduled for April 24-26. Students earned their places through auditions and were set to rehearse with nationally recognized conductors before free public concerts at the Richmond Convention Center.
Reid also attended the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association’s National Math and Science Competition awards ceremony. The nonprofit organization holds the annual contest to encourage aspiring scientists, engineers and other future leaders.
Soccer league ties participation to attendance
At West Potomac High School, a daytime soccer program is using students’ enthusiasm for the sport to build connections and combat chronic absenteeism.
Known as La Liga, the attendance and belonging initiative began at Lewis High School before expanding to West Potomac. It gives students a social and physical outlet during the school day, including those unable to join after-school activities.
The program’s 160 participants are randomly assigned to eight teams, helping students from different cultures and social groups meet one another. Katherine Lodge, a teacher of multilingual learners, checks attendance each week. A participant who misses any class must sit out for a week.
Principal Jessica Statz, other administrators and staff support the initiative, whose founding players adopted the motto “La Liga Doesn’t Close Doors.”
FCPS expands support for military families
April’s Month of the Military Child observance included Purple Up! Day, when community members were encouraged to wear purple in recognition of military-connected students. Reid, who grew up in a military family, joined Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. David Stewart to begin the local observance.
FCPS is seeking recognition as a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year. Virginia awards that status when every school in a division earns or maintains a Purple Star designation for supporting military-connected students.
FCPS had fewer than 20 Purple Star schools in 2018 and now has 96. More than 50 additional schools were expected to apply for the first time in September, while 40 planned to renew their designations. Every FCPS school must earn the designation by September 2026.
The program is intended to welcome military families, connect them with resources and peers, develop student ambassadors, and strengthen trust and belonging. Military-connected children may relocate six to nine times between kindergarten and 12th grade.
Teachers recognized for national certification
The School Board honored 23 FCPS teachers who earned or renewed certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
More than 500 FCPS educators have achieved the certification since the division’s program began over 20 years ago. FCPS ranks among Virginia’s top five divisions for both newly certified teachers and current candidates, and among the top 30 districts nationally for its number of National Board-certified educators.
More than 300 actively certified teachers work across FCPS. About 75% work directly with students, while others serve in leadership roles.
During the meeting, Reid also highlighted the FCPS Family Academy, launched in August 2024 to strengthen cooperation between schools and families. The academy offers a central place to find classes, workshops, webinars and other resources that help families navigate the school system and support learning.
Community partnerships and school activities continue
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency officers conducted K-9 training at the Forte Center warehouse. Handlers and dogs trained to detect explosives performed readiness drills throughout the facility, which has previously hosted exercises for the NGA and other agencies.
Reid met with the Support Services Employees’ Advisory Council at the Gatehouse Administration Center to discuss the role of advisory committees as FCPS transitions to collective bargaining.
She also attended an EduTutorVA gala honoring former Virginia Secretary of Education James Dyke Jr. for his lifetime contributions to education. The event celebrated the tutoring program’s founders, supporters and current tutors.
Other activities included a boys’ and girls’ outdoor track meet at South Lakes High School. Recent school visits and events reported to the School Board included the Transportation Road-eo, productions of “Grease” at Edison High School and “Almost, Maine” at Justice High School, the Sixth Grade Choral Festival, STEAM Night at Hunt Valley Elementary School, a track and field meet at Woodson High School, and a lacrosse tournament at Fairfax High School and Robinson Secondary School.