Open House and Getting Started!

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/19/2026 03:23 PM EDT

A Message From Your Academy Admin

August 19, 2026

Fairfax Academy,

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our students back next week!

To help everyone prepare, we are hosting an Open House for all our Academy and Fairfax High School students tomorrow from 1:30–4:30pm. Teachers will be available in their classrooms from 1:30–3:30pm, and members of Academy support team will be available until 4:30pm to answer any questions. Shuttle schedules have already been shared with base schools, and printed copies will be available to pick up at Open House.

When school starts next week, our support team will be at the front of the building to meet and greet all of our students. For the first four days, students should report directly to the auditorium at the start of each class period. We will use this time to introduce our Academy team, highlight key faces at Fairfax, and go over our new expectations for the year—including a reminder that cell phones must be off and put away as students arrive for class.

We hope you all enjoy your last few days of summer!

Mrs. Cook

Note from Your Academy Counselor

Photo of Mr. Donald

Welcome back, students and families! I’m so excited to welcome you to your classes at Fairfax Academy for the 2026–2027 school year.

While you are at the Academy, I serve as your school counselor and am available to support you in all the same ways your base school counselor does. If you have questions about your schedule, shuttle service, 504 accommodations, or anything else on your mind, please let me know, and I’m always happy to help.

Wishing you an amazing school year ahead!

Mr. Donald | Ladonald1@fcps.edu |703-219-2384
photo of ASL interpreting at a staff meeting

Mr. DiCenzo helps lead Academy staff to start off strong with ASL interpreting support from our new ASL 2/3 teacher, Ms. Cranston!

Parking Process Reminder

Is your student planning to drive to Fairfax Academy this year? Here are some things you need to know. 

  • If a shuttle is available from your base school, you are not permitted to drive to Academy until you have been given a parking pagIf you have a base school permit, you still need an Academy permit also – your base school permit does not serve as an Academy permit. The fee is waived if you’ve already obtained a permit at your base school.
  • You’ll need to complete the form and receive confirmation before you start to drive to Fairfax. This includes the first day of school.
  • More info and the online form to request a parking permit at Fairfax Academy is available HERE. 

  • Start parking with – if there a shuttle from your base school you are not permitted to drive to the Academy until you have been given a parking pass. We need to prioritize students who do not have a shuttle from their school.

Calling Student Leaders!

Ambassadors helping at Academy event

Academy Ambassadors is our leadership cohort of students and artists that support, celebrate, and promote our Academy events and programs. Ambassadors plan and lead events, host VIPs, speak on panels, support recruitment, represent Fairfax Academy, and more! If you’re looking to up your leadership game, add volunteer hours, diversify your college or job applications and resumes- Academy Ambassadors might be a great fit! Fill out our Ambassador Interest Form through your school account for more information at http://bit.ly/4pkBvxx .

Calling All Rising Seniors: Apply for the Fairfax Global Leaders Fellowship

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and around the world? The Fairfax Global Leaders Fellowship is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027!

Students must:

  • Be a Fairfax County resident or attend Fairfax County Public Schools.
  • Be a rising high school senior (Class of 2027).
  • Have a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Before applying, please have your resume (.doc or .pdf) and high school transcript (.doc or .pdf) ready to upload. Students will also answer several short questions as part of the application. 

There is no cost to apply. Students admitted to the program pay a one-time $75 administrative fee to support program expenses. The fee will be waived for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals or who are experiencing financial hardship.

To apply, complete the Global Leaders Fellowship Application Form by Tuesday, September 1, at 11:59 p.m. (You must use a personal Gmail account to apply.)  

Questions? Please email apply@fairfaxleaders.com. 

Ambassador prepares lanyards

Last year's Ambassador Prism Award recipient Holly (Chantilly) helps prepare new Academy lanyards! Thank you for your support!

New Student Device Requirement

Starting this school year, students may only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.

Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.