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A 1st grade student learns to spell at Belvedere Elementary School.
FCPS Named Largest Purple Star Division
In just two years, FCPS achieved its goal of becoming a Purple Star Division by having all of its schools earn a purple star. FCPS is the only division of its size in the nation to achieve Purple Star designation.
At FCPS, military families can find a school that not only meets their children’s needs, but also provides the welcoming and supportive environment every military-connected family is looking for. Read about FCPS becoming a Purple Star Division.
All FCPS Schools Are Fully Accredited
The Virginia Department of Education just announced that all Fairfax County public schools are fully accredited.
The majority (75%) of FCPS schools have been recognized as “distinguished” or “meets expectations” under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework. Read more about the division’s ratings.
Weekly Reflections: Finding a Place to Belong
In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid highlighted a video from Stone Middle School. Through caring connections, rich opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, and regular celebrations of student progress, Stone is helping students feel right at home while discovering their full potential.
Explore more Shining a Light on Success videos, which showcase the power and promise of public education across our division.
Read more highlights from Dr. Reid in her latest Weekly Reflections.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us at a Community Conversation, where all are invited to share their thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (New date)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. Childcare and interpretation services will be available.
Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey
The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from community members, families, and employees about school facility needs and how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.
Look for the survey in your email on Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.
Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations
FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.
Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.
Share Your Feedback Today on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through tomorrow, Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Tap on and Tap Off, It’s Very Easy!
Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. Learn about student IDs and bus navigation.
Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app.
Celebrate National School Lunch Week!
This year’s National School Lunch Week Cafeteria Circus theme highlights the energy, creativity, and skill our cafeteria teams bring every day to meet nutrition standards, serve hundreds of students, and introduce exciting new menu items.
To mark the occasion, the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) invited middle and high school performing arts students to create short, creative videos featuring our cafeterias and school meals. Check out FNS social media on Instagram or Facebook to watch the entries and vote for your favorite video!
Celebrating Virginia Farm to School Week
During last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared that in the 2025-26 school year, FCPS purchased more than 140,000 pounds of local produce. Cafeterias served 27 types of local fruits and vegetables from 26 local farm partners in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Feeding Success: How the Food and Nutrition Director Fuels Her Team
FNS staff know that many students rely on school for their daily meals. When winter weather brought a string of snow days and school closures to Fairfax County in January 2026, FNS staff needed to work quickly to ensure students continued to receive balanced, nutritious meals.
Melissa DeAngelo’s commitment to leadership and collaboration during times like this — and throughout the year — earned her the Outstanding Non-School-Based Leader recognition last year. Read about DeAngelo. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition Services or Food and Nutrition Employment Opportunities.
Applications Open for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application is now available. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
Letter from the Health Department on Respiratory Illness
This is the time of year when our community sees an increase in the number of respiratory illnesses, including coughs, colds, sore throats, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza (flu). Read this letter from the Fairfax County Health Department on how to prevent the spread of respiratory illness and fact sheets on COVID and influenza.
College Fair and Postsecondary Virtual Night
Prepare for your child’s future at College Fair and Postsecondary Night. The annual FCPS College Fair will be held Sunday, October 18, from 4 to 6 p.m., at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.
The virtual postsecondary night event will be held on Monday, October 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event.
Get Help Filling Out Financial Aid Forms
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans.
College Access Fairfax, in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, will present virtual information sessions on the financial aid process for post-secondary education and scholarship information.
Sessions include:
Click on the date to participate. Visit College Access Fairfax for more dates and information.
George Mason University Expands Direct Admissions Program to All FCPS High Schools
FCPS is partnering with George Mason University (GMU) to make the path to college more accessible for students. Through the Direct Admissions program, eligible FCPS seniors can apply to GMU without an application fee, essay, or letters of recommendation for the general application.
This school year, the program has expanded to include all FCPS high schools. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how students can take advantage of this opportunity on the FCPS Direct Admissions to GMU webpage.
Please contact the College and Career Specialist at your school with questions about the GMU Direct Admissions Program.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend the annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Calendar Reminder: Elementary Early Release Wednesday
Elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early on Wednesday, October 21:
- Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, Skyview, South County, Westfield, and West Potomac.
Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays. See the complete school year calendar.
Get Driver Education from a Trusted Source
When it’s time for your teen to learn safe driving, you can trust FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) for comprehensive and low-cost driver education programs taught by certified instructors.
From Learner’s Permit Test Prep through Behind-the-Wheel training, FCPS ACE covers all the required classes for teen licensure. Classes are offered at convenient locations, usually at your child’s base high school.
With expert instruction and a strong focus on safety, students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to become responsible drivers. Spaces are limited and fill quickly, so don’t wait! Get more information and register through FCPS ACE.
FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available Online
Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies.
Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office at Gatehouse Administration Center maintains the historical records of all directives. Please call 571-423-1075 for more information.
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