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Fairfax County’s new Western High School will operate as a comprehensive high school with traditional attendance boundaries and a special-programming pathway option, the School Board decided during its Nov. 13, 2025, regular meeting.
The enrollment plan calls for the school to open to opt-in students in grades 9 and 10 during the 2026-27 school year.
Before the regular meeting, the board held a public hearing on the new school’s name. The hearing began at 7:04 p.m., but no speakers registered to testify.
The regular meeting opened at 7:11 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and a performance of the national anthem by West Potomac High School student Lydia Rotkis under the direction of Luke Pierce.
Cub Run project faces closer scrutiny
The board directed Superintendent Michelle C. Reid to provide a detailed analysis of the estimated cost of the Cub Run Elementary School project in the Capital Improvement Program.
Staff will also examine whether design-build or construction management at risk could lower the project’s cost or shorten its schedule without significantly delaying renovation or construction. A third review will consider whether modular or off-site construction of a new building beside the existing school could save time and money, with the current building later demolished or repurposed.
In another facilities action, the board authorized staff to negotiate professional architectural-services contracts with selected firms for various projects.
Purple Star Schools recognized
The board recognized 89 schools designated as Purple Star Schools for the 2025-26 school year. The designation honors schools for their support of military-connected students and families.
Schools receiving their first award were Annandale High School; Aldrin, Bailey’s, Beech Tree, Braddock, Brookfield, Bull Run, Camelot, Centre Ridge, Churchill Road, Colvin Run, Clearview, Crestwood, Cunningham Park, Dogwood, Eagle View, Fairfax Villa, Forestville, Franklin Sherman, Freedom Hill, Garfield, Graham Road, Greenbriar East, Greenbriar West, Groveton, Hunters Woods, Lake Anne, Laurel Hill, Lees Corner, Mantua, Marshall Road, Mason Crest, Mount Vernon Woods, Navy, Oak Hill, Oakton, Parklawn, Virginia Run, Westlawn and Wolftrap elementary schools; Rachel Carson, Herndon, Key and Langston Hughes middle schools; Fairfax County Adult, Falls Church, Herndon, Langley and South Lakes high schools.
Second-time recipients were Cardinal Forest, Cub Run, Kent Gardens, Kings Glen, Silverbrook, Springfield Estates, Stenwood, Terra Centre and Woodlawn elementary schools; Mark Twain, Robert Frost and Washington Irving middle schools; Thomas A. Edison, West Potomac and West Springfield high schools; and James W. Robinson Secondary School.
Third-time recipients were Colin Powell, Fairhill, Fort Hunt, Franconia, Gunston, Hayfield, Lane, Laurel Ridge, Mosaic, North Springfield, Orange Hunt, Saratoga, Stratford Landing, Sunrise Valley, Washington Mill and Woodley Hills elementary schools; Carl Sandburg, Longfellow, Rocky Run and Walt Whitman middle schools; Key Center School; Hayfield Secondary School; Mount Vernon High School; and Carter G. Woodson High School.
The board also approved proclamations recognizing Veterans Day, School Psychologists Appreciation Month and National Family Engagement Month.
Superintendent found in compliance with board guardrail
Reid presented the annual monitoring report for Executive Limitation 10, which addresses learning environments and relationships with students. Executive limitations serve as operational guardrails for how the superintendent runs the school division.
The board found Reid in compliance and approved the 2025-26 monitoring report. Through its consent agenda, it also voted to retain the policy as currently written in the Strategic Governance Manual.
Reid additionally delivered an Academic Matters presentation on Universal Design for Learning and inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Seven people spoke during the community participation portion of the meeting, and student representative Faith Mekonen presented student representative matters.
The consent agenda included minutes from the Oct. 23 meeting, the October 2025 monthly employee separation report and several contract awards.
Proposals headed for future votes
The board introduced several new-business items without taking immediate votes. They included the 2026 legislative program, the Human Resources Executive Limitation 4 monitoring report, secondary course offerings, school bonds and a proposal to establish a new full-time Advanced Academic Program center at Poe Middle School in the Annandale pyramid.
Facilities items included HVAC air and water balancing at Hayfield Secondary School, replacement of stadium sports lighting at Lake Braddock Secondary School and land-right easements to Dominion Energy at Mount Eagle Elementary School for the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit project.
Other future items concern the structure of the board’s Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee, the role of the Facilities Planning Advisory Committee and ratification of tentative collective bargaining agreements for administrator and manager bargaining units.
Board committees provided no updates, and members offered no closing remarks. Reid presented her superintendent matters report before the meeting adjourned at 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 14.
Upcoming meetings were scheduled for the Audit Committee at 4 p.m. Nov. 17; an all-day work session at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2; a joint budget committee meeting with the Board of Supervisors at 3 p.m. Dec. 2; and a regular board meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 4.