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Fairfax County’s newest high school has a name. The School Board voted unanimously on February 12 to call it Skyview High School, one of several major developments announced across the school division this week.
Students also earned top regional math honors, showcased artificial intelligence projects and participated in programs celebrating Black history. Meanwhile, families face approaching deadlines for a student-rights survey, magnet-school applications and summer learning opportunities.
Students Take Center Stage
Fairfax County Public Schools teams captured five of the top eight awards at the Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competition. The event combines the Fairfax, George Washington and Northern Virginia chapters of Virginia’s MATHCOUNTS program.
More than 1,100 students from 25 FCPS high schools also participated in the Seize the Moment Student AI Innovation Challenge, developing technology-based responses to real-world problems.
McLean High School ninth grader Emmanuel Beakal won the grand prize for MyCompass, an AI-powered bot that provides users with cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. He received a $1,000 Amazon gift card funded through a grant.
At Chantilly Academy, juniors and seniors in the Teachers for Tomorrow program turned shoeboxes into models of their ideal classrooms. Their miniature designs included reading nooks, flexible seating, calm-down corners and photo labs, encouraging students to consider how classroom space and structure affect learning.
Teachers for Tomorrow is a Virginia Department of Education-approved program for juniors and seniors interested in education careers.
The FCPS Back to Fairfax initiative is also helping students prepare for possible employment with the school division. The “Grow Your Own” program connects career and technical education with work-based learning, job shadowing and internships.
Black History Celebrated Through Music and Community
Music teacher Riccardo Emilien drew on his New Orleans upbringing and marching-band experience to teach students about the “living rhythm of Black history.”
FCPS will continue its observances with the second annual Black History Month Celebration. “Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence” is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. at Carter G. Woodson High School. Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and recognize voices shaping the future.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid also highlighted student accomplishments in her latest weekly reflections, including the Mountain View High School winter graduation ceremony.
Student-Rights Survey Nears Deadline
Parents, caregivers, and middle and high school students were invited by email to complete a voluntary, confidential survey about proposed changes to the Student Rights and Responsibilities document for the 2026-27 school year.
The survey closes Friday, February 20. Participants can find their individual invitations in their regular or spam email folders, while students should check their FCPS accounts.
Magnet Lottery and Gap-Year Events Approach
FCPS operates three elementary magnet schools offering enhanced programs in science, technology and the performing arts: Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary and Bailey’s Upper.
An information night for Bailey’s Elementary and Bailey’s Upper is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. Registration for the 2026-27 elementary magnet lottery will run from Friday, February 27, through Friday, March 27.
High school students considering alternatives for the year after graduation can attend a virtual Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, February 24, from 6 to 7 p.m. FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the event for students and their families.
Summer Registration Opens
Registration is underway for FCPS summer camps and learning programs.
Career and technical education and fine and performing arts camps will operate during July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from selected FCPS schools, and families eligible for free or reduced-price meals can seek tuition assistance. Registration remains open through Friday, June 5.
New this year, participating students may register for aftercare from 2 to 5 p.m.
Tech Adventure Camp is a weeklong program for current kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Activities cover STEAM, culinary fields, health, trades, business and marketing.
The CTE Summer Academy gives students in grades 6-11 a week to explore career and technical education fields and develop related skills.
Elementary Institute for the Arts serves students in grades K-5 with four daily classes in dance, music, theater and visual arts. Institute for the Arts is designed for current students in grades 6-11 and offers nearly 60 classes across those disciplines. Rising ninth graders may also take Health and PE 9 through the program.
Production Camp is a four-week theater intensive for students in grades 6-11. Participants choose performance or technical-theater tracks and work together to rehearse, design and build a musical for a public presentation.
High school students can also complete the Economics and Personal Finance requirement through a self-directed summer course. Registration is open through June 5.
The Summer Online Campus offers eligible middle and high school students the opportunity to earn course credit. Available subjects include mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies and world languages. Its registration deadline is also June 5.
Sports Programs Adapt and Inspire
Greenbriar East Elementary School is bringing the Winter Olympics into physical education classes. After a ceremonial cauldron lighting, teams of four race across the gym in makeshift “bobsleds” constructed from gymnastics mats stacked on scooters.
Baseball players from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology have also launched an adaptive clinic, partnering with young students from across Northern Virginia to practice baseball skills.
Volunteers and Science Fair Judges Needed
Volunteer FCPS connects community members with opportunities throughout the school division. Volunteers must create a profile, register for assignments through the system, and use school visitor kiosks to sign in and out. An orientation is also available through the program.
The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair needs more than 250 judges for its Saturday, March 14, event at Robinson Secondary School. Projects will cover fields ranging from astronomy and plant science to biomedical engineering.
Judges should have an advanced degree or extensive professional or academic experience in their selected category. Parents, teachers and family friends cannot judge a category in which their child, student or family friend’s child is competing. Registration closes Sunday, March 8.
Calendar Reminders
Students, teachers and staff are invited to wear bright colors and tropical clothing for a divisionwide spirit day on Thursday, February 19.
On Wednesday, February 25, elementary schools in 13 pyramids will dismiss students three hours early: Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield and West Potomac.