Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) began the 2025-26 academic year with a two-day convocation event at Meridian High School, welcoming new Superintendent Dr. Terry Dade and celebrating both student and staff achievements.
Dr. Dade, who started his role on July 1, addressed staff by sharing his local background as a former teacher and principal in Northern Virginia. He outlined his educational philosophy for the year: “Be curious, not judgmental” and “Love what you do and love kids – on your best days and your worst days.” During his remarks, Dr. Dade recounted the story of Mrs. Thompson and Teddy Stoddard to highlight the importance of compassion in education. He said, “Every child is carrying something we can’t always see,” adding, “Sometimes even the smallest act of kindness becomes a moment that changes everything.”
Kim Heddings, Director of Assessment and Accountability, announced that FCCPS has been ranked as the top school district in Virginia for six consecutive years and first in the DC metro area according to Niche’s 2025 rankings. The district reported high performance across various metrics: nearly 1,000 International Baccalaureate exams were administered with a 97% pass rate; 64 IB diplomas were awarded to seniors; Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School achieved a 99% pass rate in Algebra I; there was a 95% pass rate on the Work Keys business writing assessment; and notable gains were made among economically disadvantaged students and English learners.
Heddings noted expectations for continued success when statewide data is released later this fall: “While nothing is official yet, when the statewide data is released this fall, we expect to be at the top once again.”
Staff members marking milestone anniversaries—15, 20, 25, or 30 years—were recognized during the event. Nan Hoff received special mention for returning as a paraprofessional after retiring from teaching kindergarten. Dr. Dade commented on this dedication: “To have that many staff members celebrating 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the same school district is absolutely special and phenomenal,” he said. “It’s something that we are extremely blessed to have.”
The convocation also acknowledged community history through highlighting the Marion Costner Selby Peace Garden at Meridian High School—a space created through community collaboration honoring Marion Costner Selby as George Mason High School’s first African American student in 1961.
Performances by Meridian High School’s Chamber Singers and segments from Coach Carey’s mascot security interviews provided entertainment during the event.
Teacher of the Year Miriam Schimmoller delivered an address focused on educators’ influence beyond academics: “We’re not just teaching skills, we’re building identities,” she said. “We’re creating spaces where kids feel safe enough to take a risk, to ask a question, to try again, to be themselves.”
As FCCPS enters its fourth year under its current strategic plan emphasizing resource management and ongoing improvement efforts based on leadership frameworks such as those from Mayo Clinic as well as research by Kouzes & Posner—the district will continue prioritizing collaboration over individual work while putting students’ needs first.
“We’re all in this together,” Dr. Dade concluded at convocation.
Students across all five FCCPS schools return this week as part of what continues to be one of Virginia’s highest-performing public school districts.
