Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) released on May 13 a summary of recent accomplishments, policy changes, and upcoming events affecting students, staff, and families.
The update highlights several key developments for the school community. Thirty-one FCPS students from twelve high schools have been named National Merit Scholarship winners. The district also announced that it has received the 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence from The Partnership for Excellence, marking the first time an education applicant won this recognition on their initial application.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reported that FCPS faces a $28 million budget gap following Fairfax County Government’s adoption of its Fiscal Year 2027 budget. She said adjustments have been proposed to balance the district’s finances while awaiting finalization of the state budget. More details are available in Dr. Reid’s message to the community about budget priorities.
The School Board approved new changes to Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), including an updated cellphone policy aligned with Virginia Senate Bill 108. Beginning July 1, all student cellphones and smart devices must be turned off and stored away during school hours across all grade levels—a shift intended to create a phone-free environment from bell to bell.
Other SR&R updates include expanded procedures related to suspensions, discipline investigations, harassment reporting requirements under Title IX, as well as responses to incidents involving intimate images or physical aggression. Additional information is accessible through the FCPS website or School Board agenda.
In other news, two students—Laasya Mohan from Floris Elementary School and Aadhya Vijayakumar from Rocky Run Middle School—will advance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month after excelling at county-level competitions.
The division also celebrated special education champions at SEPTA’s annual awards ceremony; recognized outstanding staff through its CARES program; honored kitchen teams for their service on National School Lunch Hero Day; and noted technology initiatives such as allowing deaf or hard-of-hearing students at Canterbury Woods Elementary School to experience live orchestra performances using assistive devices.
FCPS reminded families about free bus passes available for middle and high schoolers on local transit systems, discount programs for adults meeting income requirements, resources supporting strong attendance habits among students as the academic year concludes, and several important calendar dates including Memorial Day closure on May 25.