Person taking a standardized test (photo via Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash)
In a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on education policy, Virginia leaders have enacted sweeping changes to the state’s K-12 testing system, aiming to raise student performance and make the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments more meaningful.
Despite ongoing political clashes over broader education policy, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state lawmakers united earlier this month behind a plan they hope will strengthen student outcomes.
Colvin Run Mill water wheel (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
In case the present is becoming a bit overwhelming, a pair of upcoming events at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls will give visitors the opportunity to escape into the past.
The historic site, located at 10017 Colvin Run Road, will first offer an adults-only experience with a Spirited Grains Whiskey Tasting this Saturday (May 17) starting at 4 p.m.
Imagine stepping out of your door and being a brief, 0.3-mile walk from the McLean Metro Station. Indigo at McLean Station is redefining affordable Northern Virginia living, combining an unbeatable Tysons location with brand-new, high-end amenities.
Mark your calendar for our upcoming Open House on Saturday, November 14th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where you can explore everything our growing community has to offer.
Both Phases Now Open for Tours
This exclusive event gives you full access to tour both Phase I and Phase II of our stunning community. Whether you are looking to relocate immediately or planning your next move, we have layouts tailored to your timeline:
Phase I (Immediate Move-In Available): Move right into our modern homes designed for households qualifying under the 60% Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines.
Phase II (Now Leasable): Ready for immediate move-ins, select apartment homes in Phase II are now available to lease. This phase introduces studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom configurations across 50% to 70% AMI tiers.
Double the Amenities, Double the Community
With the introduction of Phase II, Indigo at McLean Station has dramatically expanded its resident perks. When you tour the community, you will experience a wealth of brand-new spaces designed to elevate your daily routine:
Upgraded Fitness & Relaxation: Enjoy full access to an additional, state-of-the-art fitness center and a second designer club room perfect for hosting friends.
Premium Work & Welcome Spaces: Experience our elegant, expansive new lobby and a fully equipped business center tailored for remote professionals.
Outdoor & Pet Luxuries: Pamper your four-legged family members at our brand-new, on-site pet spa (with no breed restrictions) and explore additional outdoor amenity spaces and walking trails.
Stack Your Savings
Attendees who submit an application during the event can unlock our exclusive, event-only leasing incentive. Receive an additional 1/2 month of rent free—applicable strictly to Phase I apartments. Best of all, this time-sensitive special stacks directly on top of our premier active promotion of Up to Two Months Free on Select Apartments!
Plan your visit to 1750 Old Meadow Rd, McLean, VA 22102 this November 14th. Browse Our Available Floor Plans, check real-time pricing, and review income qualification criteria on our website, or call our leasing team directly at (571) 786-5546. Can’t make the Open House? Schedule a Tour Today.
The entrance to Oakcrest School in Wolf Trap (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
While some Fairfax County Public Schools grapple with overcrowding, a private school in the Wolf Trap area hopes to boost enrollment by welcoming younger students.
The Oakcrest School plans to start serving kindergarten and elementary students, expanding its current scope of sixth through 12th grade, according to a zoning application recently submitted to Fairfax County.
Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and support our upcoming World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims.
World Day of Remembrance is an annual event where we honor those whose lives were prematurely ended after being struck by a person driving. This year is particularly painful and sad as we think about the recent death of a 13-year-old Frost middle school student who was struck and killed by a person driving a truck on Pickett Road. We will also honor the nearly 30 other people (as of today’s date) who have been killed on Northern Virginia streets while, walking, biking, or rolling since last year’s day of remembrance.
A Patriot Pride sign on George Mason University's Fairfax campus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Graduation season is getting underway for college and high school students alike, which means an influx of traffic for people living around George Mason University.
GMU warns that “heavy traffic” is expected around its main Fairfax campus for the next month, with dozens of graduation ceremonies scheduled to take place at EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle).
Chalk drawings on the fountain at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston celebrate Mother’s Day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
White South African ‘Refugees’ Coming to Dulles — “Plans are underway to fly approximately 60 Afrikaners to Dulles International Airport on a State Department-chartered plane Monday, with federal and Virginia officials preparing to receive them in a ceremonial news conference.” The group is being welcomed despite the Trump administration’s suspension of other U.S. refugee admissions. [Washington Post]
Update on Herndon Double Murder Case — “Prosecutors are seeking to include statements made to police by a 4-year-old girl after her mother and another victim were found slain in the family’s home [in] Herndon.” The motion will be argued soon after attorneys met for a brief hearing last Friday (May 9). [NBC4]
Prison Sentence for Fatal I-395 Motorcycle Crash — “A Falls Church man who fled the scene after striking a motorcyclist near the Pentagon last year has been sentenced to three and a half years behind bars.” The sentence was handed down in Arlington Circuit Court last Friday, May 2. and exceeds the recommended 180 days. [ARLnow]
School Board Revises Cell Phone Usage Policy — After months of debate, the Fairfax County School Board voted 9-3 on Thursday (May 8) to permit “limited cellphone use by students. The compromise allows students to use their cellphones before and after class and during their lunch break.” A phone storage pilot program is still in effect. [WTOP]
Tree Falls Onto Fairfax City Home — “A falling tree crashed onto a duplex in Fairfax County, tearing down power lines and forcing a family out of their home.” The family that resides in the duplex was sleeping at the time, but fortunately, no one was in the bedroom where the tree fell, so there were no injuries. [NBC4]
New Watch Shop Opens in Tysons — “Luxury watch retailer Lenkersdorfer has unveiled a new 7,800-square-foot showroom in Tysons Corner Center, where customers can find a selection of watches from prestigious brands.” The showroom is complemented by the brand’s only Tudor boutique in the area. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Park Authority Awarded Invasive Species Grant — The Fairfax County Park Authority will receive a $60,827 grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry for invasive species management on parkland. The funds will support an Early Detection Rapid Response program that identfies new populations of invasive plants and “must be used by the end of June 2025.” [FCPA]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76, accompanied by a 30% chance of rain. The likelihood of precipitation will jump to 90% at night, with showers and possible thunderstorms appearing after 5am. The low temperature will be around 64. [NWS]
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Annual Mixed Beverage Application – Sports Facility, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 71 during the day, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 9 to 14 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. The night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 53, and a gentle west wind at 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Fairfax County police are investigating a single-vehicle crash in Clifton that killed a teenager yesterday (Thursday).
Officers responded to the 11000 block of Chapel Road at 3:24 p.m. for a report of a 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV “that left the roadway and struck a tree,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a press release today (Friday).