Elementary school will end early on eight Wednesdays next year

Fairfax County Public Schools will continue the early release schedule for elementary schools next year but will switch from Mondays to Wednesdays.

During the current year, FCPS launched a pilot program in which elementary students were dismissed three hours early on select Mondays. The goal was to give teachers extra time to plan lessons, participate in training, and collaborate with their peers.

FCPS is moving the early-release days to Wednesdays during the 2025-26 school year, because so many holidays happen on Mondays.

Each elementary school will have a total of eight early-release days throughout the school year. During those Wednesday afternoons, FCPS is offering supervision “at no-cost to families for students with unique childcare needs.”

The students who stay at school will be placed in mixed-age groups. They could use the time to catch up on homework, play games, visit the library, use laptops or tablets, do crafts, or read independently. Supervision will be provided by school or central office staff or substitute teachers.

Lunch will be provided on early-release Wednesdays. Buses will run their regular route when students are released early and again at normal dismissal time.

The schedule for early-release Wednesday will vary depending on the school’s location.

Elementary schools in the Annandale, Falls Church, and Woodson pyramids will be released early on these dates: Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Feb. 18, March 18, April 22, and May 13.

Elementary schools in the Justice Pyramid will be released early on these Wednesdays: Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29, and May 20.