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Most Fairfax County Public Schools earned “distinguished” or “on track” ratings during the first year of Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework, and every FCPS school remains fully accredited.
The results arrive as Virginia prepares to raise the scores students need to pass Standards of Learning tests. The Virginia Board of Education decided in November to begin changing SOL cut scores in the 2026-27 school year, with the higher thresholds phased in over four years. No changes are planned for 2025-26.
Using spring 2025 results as a baseline, FCPS estimates that full implementation could reduce the math pass rate from 78% to 52% and the reading pass rate from 79% to 51%. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed the potential effects and proposed school-performance revisions during the School Board’s Academic Matters presentation.
Students capture state championships
Four FCPS teams and one individual won Virginia High School League Class 6 championships in fall 2025. Another four teams and one individual finished as state runners-up.
Longfellow Middle School’s Science Olympiad team also continues a remarkable run. About 30 students meet three times weekly after school to study science and build devices including hovercraft, helicopters, and gravity-powered vehicles. Since 2002, the team has won 19 state championships and finished as high as fifth nationally, including 13 consecutive state titles.
Families urged to prepare for winter closures
Parents and caregivers should verify their email addresses and cellphone numbers in SIS ParentVUE to receive school delay and closing alerts. Anyone whose information is correct but who is not receiving notices may contact the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FCPS has assembled winter-break resources covering academic and mental health support, along with county assistance for food, clothing, housing, and other needs. The school system is also encouraging families to use educational activities to combine learning and play during winter break and weather-related closures.
Elementary schools in the Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield, and West Potomac pyramids will dismiss three hours early Wednesday, December 17.
Winter break runs from Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. FCPS has asked teachers not to assign homework during the break. Long-range work may be assigned beforehand, but nothing should be due immediately after the break. Classes resume Monday, January 5, 2026.
Calendars through the 2027-28 school year and details for 2026 graduation ceremonies are available through FCPS.
Airport partnership expands career training
An expanded partnership between West Potomac Academy and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will give students more work-based learning opportunities. The initiative is intended to provide hands-on exposure to high-demand careers and clearer connections between classroom study and future employment.
Reid recently visited the academy for the partnership’s launch.
The final FCPS Community Conversation of 2025 will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 11, at Bull Run Elementary School. Community members may speak with Reid and ask questions. Child care and interpretation will be available.
Course planning begins in January
Middle and high school students will begin meeting with counselors in January 2026 to select classes for the next school year. FCPS is encouraging parents and caregivers to participate.
Students should weigh their academic strengths, study habits, interests, career and postsecondary plans, personal well-being, extracurricular activities, and other demands on their time. High school students must also account for graduation requirements.
Families can now use ParentVUE to track a student’s progress toward graduation. The FCPS Program of Studies and school-specific course catalogs offer additional planning information for the 2026-27 school year.
Special education conference seeks presenters
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, “Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools,” is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Marshall High School.
Internationally known educator and advocate Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address. The event will also include a resource fair and breakout sessions.
Community partners may propose sessions on subjects relevant to FCPS families. Accepted presenters should be prepared to lead both one-hour sessions, beginning at 1:20 and 2:25 p.m. Proposals are due Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and applicants will receive decisions through the email address submitted with the proposal.
Warehouse operation supplies more than 200 schools
Reid’s latest Strategic Plan Update focused on the FCPS warehouse and the school system’s Culture of Equity, Excellence, and Accountability goals.
The warehouse employs 50 people and serves more than 200 schools and offices. Its staff picks up and delivers about 500 items each week and 24,000 annually, using 13 distribution trucks and nine Pony mail trucks. Its work includes delivering science kits and other classroom materials to students across the division.
FCPS highlights student health resources
FCPS is reminding families that sleep, nutrition, exercise, safe environments, and supportive relationships all contribute to healthy brain development during childhood and adolescence. Healthy habits developed during these years can support learning, mental health, and the transition to adulthood.
The school system is also encouraging parents to discuss fentanyl and overdoses with teenagers. Suggested approaches include choosing a relaxed, distraction-free setting; asking open-ended questions; remaining patient and withholding judgment; and checking in regularly. Teens should know how to recognize an overdose and respond if a friend is in danger.
High school students experiencing anxiety, behavioral changes, or difficulties with peer and family relationships may be referred for weekly virtual therapy with a licensed Hazel Health therapist.
The Fairfax Network will air “Meet the Author” at 1 p.m. Friday, December 12, on Channel 21 and YouTube. The episode features Gabriella Aldeman, author of the bilingual children’s book “Squawk of Spanish,” in which Max learns to communicate with his Spanish-speaking grandmother and discovers how language can strengthen family relationships.
Attendance reporting helps schools respond
Families can report full-day absences through ParentVUE, by calling their school’s attendance line, or by emailing its designated attendance address. School employees will contact a parent or guardian when a student is absent without prior notice.
Parents can monitor attendance records in ParentVUE. Attendance codes are assigned by school staff to document why students are missing school and help determine what support may be appropriate.
Children with mild cold symptoms may attend if they feel able to participate in school activities. FCPS advises families to keep children home and contact a health care provider when they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
More than 6,000 names proposed for new high school
FCPS has reached the midpoint of selecting a name for its new western Fairfax County high school.
During a monthlong public-comment period, the division held two community meetings and a public hearing focused on families in the Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes, and Westfield pyramids. Parents, caregivers, employees, and students in grades seven through 12 could also submit ideas through a survey.
Staff reviewed and forwarded more than 6,000 suggestions to Reid and the School Board. Reid has presented initial recommendations and will consider another round of feedback from western Fairfax residents before sending the board her final choices.
The School Board is scheduled to select the name Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Adult education promotes experience-based gifts
FCPS Adult and Community Education is promoting classes and gift cards as holiday presents. Options include coding and video-game development for young teenagers, culinary arts courses, and language classes.
Specific courses and gift cards may be purchased through ACE or by calling 703-658-1201.
FCPS is also reminding residents that its policies, regulations, and public notices are available online, as required by Virginia’s Standards of Quality. Residents may request a current printed copy of a directive. Historical records are maintained by the School Board office at the Gatehouse Administration Center, which can be reached at 571-423-1075.