Fairfax County Public Schools

Published August 26, 2025 at 9:15AM

Winsome Earle-Sears speaks at a rally in Vienna (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has ordered state police to investigate explosive allegations from a conservative blog that Fairfax County Public Schools officials helped multiple underage girls obtain abortions in 2021 — a probe whose findings may not surface before Election Day but could still sway voters in the court of public opinion.

Virginia law requires minors to obtain either parental consent or a successful court petition to undergo the procedure. Such records are also exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

News

Family launches GoFundMe after FCPS student, dad killed in crash

By Jared Serre

Published August 21, 2025 at 1:45PM

Isabella Rios with her mother Milenka Rios after graduating from Silverbrook Elementary School (photo via GoFundMe)

A local family is seeking help for funeral expenses after a rising South County Middle School student and her father died in a crash earlier this week.

Isabella “Izzy” Rios, 12, and Alberto Samperio, 46, were killed Sunday (Aug. 17) after their vehicle crossed a center line and struck an oncoming vehicle, the Virginia State Police said.

Countywide

Thomas Jefferson High School ranked among top 5 in nation by U.S. News

By Vernon Miles

Published August 21, 2025 at 10:10AM

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

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) has been ranked the fifth best high school in the county and the first in Virginia in a new U.S. News & World Report ranking.

Released on Tuesday (Aug. 19), the ranking highlighted the magnet school’s unique, STEM-focused program offerings and amenities, including its 15 specialized research labs, courses like DNA science and advanced marine biology, and a student-led academic journal.

Countywide

Trump administration moves to cut off funding for FCPS, punishing support for transgender students

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 20, 2025 at 8:30AM

Students hold trans rights and LGBTQ Pride flag signs at a rally protesting Virginia's model policies on transgender students outside Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Trump administration appears to be following through on its threat to withhold federal funds from public schools in Northern Virginia after they refused to roll back policies that support transgender and gender non-conforming students.

The U.S. Education Department announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it has placed Fairfax County Public Schools and the school systems in Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William and Loudoun on “high-risk status,” a move that it claims lets it attach specific conditions for releasing funding.

Countywide

Fairfax will hire security for its superintendent. Could Va. see this elsewhere?

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published August 19, 2025 at 8:30AM

Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff file photo by James Jarvis)

With friction growing between the public and school leaders over policy decisions, Fairfax County Public Schools is in the process of hiring security for its superintendent due to the need for additional protection over safety concerns.

The move has left legislative leaders curious if similar proposals could occur at other school divisions around the region and beyond, as school leaders continue to be challenged by the public and face investigations for their decisions.

Countywide

Fairfax County to close public schools on Sept. 9 for special election

By Jared Serre

Published August 18, 2025 at 2:45PM

Republican candidate Mike Van Meter speaks at Fairfax High School during the Republican Party's canvass event (staff photo by Jared Serre)

After returning to class today (Monday), students at Fairfax County’s public schools can look forward to an extra day off next month.

With “more than half” of them being used as polling places in Sept. 9’s special election, Fairfax County Public Schools announced earlier this month that all 199 of its schools will be closed that day at the suggestion of the Fairfax County Office of Elections.

Countywide

BREAKING: FCPS rejects Trump administration demand that it scrap trans-inclusive policies

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:50PM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 8:44PM

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

Fairfax County Public Schools is joining its counterparts across Northern Virginia in rejecting the Trump administration’s demands that it rescind policies supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming students.

In a message to FCPS staff and families, Superintendent Michelle Reid says she has sent a response to the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) defending the school system’s policies as consistent with existing state and federal law, requesting that the federal government pause any further action until the issue is “clarified” by the courts.

Countywide

New school year brings new speed cameras and a ‘zero-tolerance’ traffic violation campaign

By Vernon Miles

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:45PM

Crossing guard holds back traffic as school bus leaves Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With schools around Fairfax County starting up next week, this is your reminder to pay extra-special attention on the roads and look out for kids.

Fairfax County Public Schools are back in session starting Monday, Aug. 18, meaning roads around the region will once again feature over 1,600 school buses loading and unloading students.

News

Youngkin tells police to investigate FCPS over abortion assistance allegations

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 14, 2025 at 9:15AM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin at a rally in Vienna (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Allegations that Fairfax County Public Schools employees helped students obtain abortions without their parents’ consent have drawn Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s attention after circulating for days on right-wing media.

The Republican governor directed the Virginia State Police yesterday (Wednesday) to open a criminal investigation into FCPS based on the report, which was originally published in the Substack-based newsletter WC Dispatch.

Countywide

FCPS expanding weapons scanning tech to all middle and high schools this fall

By Vernon Miles

Published August 7, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated August 7, 2025 at 5:50PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid discusses the upcoming weapons detection pilot program with students (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is expanding its weapons screening system to every middle and high school this fall.

A new pilot for weapons detectors kicked off this spring but was thrust into the spotlight after a student was stabbed at West Potomac High School the same week it started.