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Fairfax County Public Schools closed out the academic year with state athletic honors, an Olympic champion’s return to his former elementary school and new recognition for efforts to make student discipline more equitable.
The spring 2026 Virginia High School League season ended with five FCPS teams and 15 individual athletes winning Class 6 championships. Another five teams and 13 individuals finished as state runners-up.
Robinson Secondary School’s Peyton Larsen was named the VHSL Class 6 Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year. Thirteen FCPS athletes also earned spots on the Class 6 all-state boys lacrosse teams.
First-team selections were Dylan Carbaugh and Thomas Agents of Robinson Secondary School; Nico Williamson, Brendan Levay and Rocco Penna of Madison High School; and Cole Samburg of Langley High School.
The second team included Graydon Byrne and Cooper Williams of Madison; Mathes Hamby of Chantilly High School; Sean Kovalsky and Keyden Hopper of West Potomac High School; Brady Hanson of Fairfax High School; and Nathan Frazer of Robinson.
Olympic champion returns to Westbriar
Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion figure skater Ilia Malinin returned Monday to Westbriar Elementary School, where he was once a student.
Malinin, widely known as the “Quad God,” spoke about his elementary school years, competing on the world stage and the persistence needed to pursue ambitious goals. He encouraged students to follow their dreams, accept challenges, learn from failures and keep moving forward.
He also recalled everyday parts of his childhood, including playing soccer during recess, reading and playing video games. His stories connected his extraordinary skating career to experiences familiar to current Westbriar students.
Later that day, FCPS held its first Equity and Student Conduct Awards Ceremony at Willow Oaks. The inaugural event honored schools, teams and employees working to create safer, more supportive and equitable learning environments.
Recognition included schools involved in the School Discipline Consortium, Restorative Schools Project and Restorative Justice Pathway initiatives. Those programs use practices centered on accountability, empathy, belonging, stronger relationships and repairing harm. FCPS says the work is intended to reduce disparities in discipline while giving students consistent support and opportunities to grow.
Monday concluded with Centreville Elementary School’s sixth-grade promotion ceremony at Centreville High School, where the auditorium was filled to standing-room capacity.
Boundary decision approaches
On Tuesday morning, Superintendent Michelle Reid attended a Fairfax County Council for Economic Opportunity meeting at the Fairfax County Government Center. The regular gathering brings together members of the Board of Supervisors and local business leaders to discuss the community’s future.
That evening, FCPS held its final community meeting for the Skyview High School and Western Pyramids Boundary Study. A consultant reviewed the boundary process and public feedback, presented the final draft map, answered questions and led breakout discussions.
A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. Reid is expected to present her final boundary recommendation to the School Board on Thursday, July 16, when the board will consider taking action.
Any approved boundary changes will begin with the 2027-28 school year.
Student well-being and specialized support
Reid attended the Cook Center’s inaugural National Leadership Forum on Youth Mental Health on Wednesday at Gallup headquarters in Washington, D.C. The conference brought superintendents together to discuss research, evidence-based practices and collaborative approaches to student well-being. Loneliness and isolation, along with their physical and mental health effects, were among the subjects addressed.
Later Wednesday, Reid participated in the American Association of School Administrators’ Summer Convening in Washington, joining education leaders from across the country.
On Thursday, the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Twice-Exceptional Programming completed another year of monthly meetings. The committee includes parents, educators and community members working to support students who are both academically advanced and have disabilities or other learning needs.
Its work supports the FCPS Multi-Year Plan for Twice-Exceptional Programming, with an emphasis on communication, equitable access and stronger instructional and social-emotional services.
During the year, the committee developed a guidance document explaining the main elements of FCPS twice-exceptional programming and created a parent guide to navigating the individualized education program process and understanding accommodations.
Members also designed protocols for student focus groups and advised planners preparing summer professional development and the 2026 Special Education Family Conference.
Thursday evening, Reid joined an NAACP education roundtable to discuss FCPS progress toward its equity commitments and strategic goals, as well as areas where additional work remains.
Early Friday, she served as a speaker and mentor at the Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Female Leaders at the AASA headquarters in Alexandria. The program helps women educators build the skills, confidence and professional connections needed to pursue superintendent positions.
Schools spotlight student projects
FCPS also highlighted projects and milestones at three schools.
At Oakton Elementary School, students care for chickens in an area called Cluckingham Palace while learning about empathy and stewardship.
Davis Career Center recently held a transition ceremony where students reflected on work experiences, friendships, personal achievements and their plans for the future. The center uses MAGIC as an acronym for motivation, achievement, growth, inspiration and courage.
At Haycock Elementary School, fifth graders produced a video about caring and kindness. The project gave them experience with scripting, storyboarding, audio and video recording, and multimedia editing.
Summer meals and learning resources
FCPS is directing families to its Summer Resources Guide, which lists recreational activities and health and safety information from the school system, Fairfax County and community organizations. Its Summer Learning Resources page also offers academic materials across multiple grades and subjects.
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services is operating the 2026 Summer Meal Service at schools around the county. Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge to every child age 18 or younger.