education | FFXnow

Published July 29, 2025 at 11:45AM

A Trans Day of Visibility rally outside a school board meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

FCPS Pride is urging Northern Virginia school districts to hold their ground after the Department of Education accused the schools’ trans-inclusive policies of violating Title IX.

Last week, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found Fairfax County Public Schools and nearby Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William and Loudoun school divisions in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The findings argue that letting students use bathrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex.

News

Private school for special-needs students coming to Reston this summer

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 28, 2025 at 1:45PM

Sign for Isaac Newton Square in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Virginia private school that serves students with autism and other behavioral health needs is relocating from Loudoun County to Reston.

Rivermont Schools announced last Wednesday (July 23) that its Sterling campus at 45305 Catalina Court will move next month to a new facility at 11411 Isaac Newton Square South. The buildout is expected to finish in August, in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

News

JUST IN: Trump targets GMU with investigation into diversity-related hiring practices

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey

Published July 10, 2025 at 8:20PM | Updated July 10, 2025 at 8:53PM

George Mason University (file photo)

By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia’s largest public university.

News

SCOOP: NOVA Community College to wind down Reston presence

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 11, 2025 at 1:45PM

Northern Virginia Community College leases office space at 1821 Michael Faraday Drive for its Reston Technology Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is preparing to leave Reston.

The community college will phase out its Reston Technology Center at 1821 Michael Faraday Drive, relocating classes to other campuses before vacating the premises by December 2027, NOVA spokesperson Kathy Parkinson says.

News

Athletic facilities, housing and retail planned for GMU campus development

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 28, 2025 at 11:45AM

One scenario for placement of facilities in western portion of George Mason University's Fairfax campus (courtesy George Mason)

George Mason University plans to focus on athletics facilities first when redeveloping the western portion of its Fairfax campus.

After new sports/recreation facilities are in place, Mason will move forward with developing housing — for both the university community and others — plus retail spaces and community facilities, university officials and consultants told community members on May 22.

Countywide

JUST IN: AG Miyares accuses FCPS of anti-Asian discrimination in TJ admissions

By Jared Serre

Published May 21, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated May 21, 2025 at 3:32PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The battle over Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s student admissions policy isn’t quite over after all.

More than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court passed on an opportunity to weigh in, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares accused Fairfax County Public Schools today (Wednesday) of “intentional” discrimination against Asian American students applying to the magnet school in Annandale.

Around Town

Future of Noodles & Company at Reston’s Plaza America uncertain

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 20, 2025 at 9:15AM

Noodles and Company at Plaza America in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Plaza America in Reston is in a period of transition: one retailer has left, another is preparing to relocate, and the future of a third is unclear.

The question mark centers on Noodles & Company, the fast-casual noodle eatery that has occupied a prominent spot at the shopping center since 2012.

Countywide

Pay raises, staffing reduced as FCPS scrambles to balance budget

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 13, 2025 at 10:05AM

Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff file photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County Public Schools staff will receive most, but not all, of their planned salary increases under a revised fiscal year 2026 budget proposal shared last week by Superintendent Michelle Reid.

However, in order to preserve as much of the promised raises as possible, some positions and services will be cut after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors declined to approve Reid’s full funding request.

Countywide

Virginia overhauls SOL testing to boost student achievement

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published May 12, 2025 at 1:45PM

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.

News

Wolf Trap private school seeks to widen scope to elementary grades

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 12, 2025 at 10:00AM

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.