School news roundup – July 2026
School construction tax – The Fairfax County School Board approved a resolution supporting a local referendum for a 1 percent sales tax for school facility capital projects.
As part of the state’s budget agreement, the Virginia General Assembly authorized localities to raise the sales tax by 1 percent, with the additional revenue used for school construction and major facility renovations.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is not expected to approve the new tax in the immediate future, as a meals tax took effect on Jan. 1.
The school board resolution, approved on July 9, urges the BoS to place a referendum on the ballot before the next general election “to address FCPS’ $400 million maintenance backlog and 42-year renovation cycle.”
According to the school board, the lack of funds for capital improvements leaves many aging schools “waiting decades for major modernizations and structural overhauls.”
Beyond the Bell expands – Following a successful pilot during the 2025-26 school year, the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is moving ahead with the first phase of replacing the School Age Child Care program with Beyond the Bell.
The transition is aimed at reducing waitlists and expanding access to afterschool childcare.
Twenty-one elementary schools will participate in the first phase of the Beyond the Bell transition, including Glen Forest and Weyanoke in Mason District. Bailey’s, Annandale Terrace, Braddock, and Westlawn participated in the pilot and will continue with Beyond the Bell during the coming school year.
Beyond the Bell has a staff-to-child ratio of 1-22, compared to 1-18 for SACC. Beyond the Bell will be exempt from the Virginia Department of Education licensure, as allowed under state law. Both programs have the same requirements for staff training.
Enrollment for both Beyond the Bell and SACC is currently underway.
Several virtual information sessions on Beyond the Bell are scheduled for this summer:
Support for teachers – Beech Tree Elementary School received a $20,000 donation from the Altar’d State store at Tysons Corner Center through its nonprofit partner, AdoptAClassroom.org. This gift will directly support teachers and students by providing new instructional materials, classroom resources, and learning opportunities.
AdoptAClassroom is a national nonprofit organization that connects donors directly with PreK-12 schools by providing in-kind marketplace credits for classroom materials.
New Region 2 leader – April Cage has been appointed assistant superintendent for FCPS’s Region 2, which includes the Falls Church, Justice, and McLean high school pyramids.
The former Region 2 assistant superintendent, Megan Vroman, has been promoted to FCPS chief of schools.
Cage has more than 25 years of experience in Fairfax County Public Schools as a classroom teacher, advanced academic resource teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal of Garfield Elementary School in Springfield, and executive principal for Region 6. She was recognized as the FCPS Outstanding Principal of the Year in 2023.
Educator awarded – Annandale High School technology specialist Jen Cory received the A. Heath Onthank Award for Merit from the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission for her exceptional leadership in expanding academic support and credit recovery opportunities.
This past year, she launched Saturday Academic Coaching and led a Summer Credit Continuation Pilot that helped hundreds of students at 10 schools stay on track for graduation.
Calendars approved – The Fairfax County School Board on July 9 approved calendars for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years The new calendars conform to the guidelines adopted by the board in June.
The first day of school is Aug. 23, 2027. The last day of classes is June 14, 2028. Winter break is Dec. 18-Jan. 2. Spring break is April 8-15.
The school year includes 27 full five-day instructional weeks and 15 professional days for instructional staff.
Related story: School board approves school calendar policy
Get vaxxed for school – The Annandale Public Health Center and other Fairfax County Health Department locations are launching dedicated school immunization hours to ensure students get the required vaccinations before school starts.
The first school immunization clinic in Annandale, at 7611 Little River Turnpike, is July 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit this page for the full schedule.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. Parents are advised to bring their child’s immunization record.
An exemplary leader – The Virginia Department of Education has named Annandale High School Principal Shawn DeRose a Virginia Principal of Distinction. This recognition is part of the inaugural class of principals honored statewide for their outstanding leadership, commitment to student achievement, instructional excellence, and positive school culture.
Related story: School news roundup – June 2026
Literacy success – FCPS recently highlighted Parklawn Elementary School’s successful literacy program in its Shining a Light on Success video series.
Every student participates in WIN time – consisting of 30 minutes of targeted literacy instruction – every day, says Principal Rebecca Forgy. The instruction, in small groups, is targeted to each child’s needs.
WIN, which stands for “what I mean,” is a team effort, involving classroom teachers, multilingual learner teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists, interventionists, high-impact tutors, and instructional assistants.
Students in grades K-3 last year showed a 16 percent improvement in the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System, Forgy said.
Middle school mental health – FCPS on July 1 expanded virtual mental services from Hazel Health to middle school students. The program has been offered to high school students since 2023.
Hazel Health provides free therapy through secure video sessions that students can access from home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Licensed therapists can help with such issues as mood and behavior changes, motivation, grief, anxiety, social skills, sexual identity challenges, peer and family relationships, and academic stress.
Green Flag schools – The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools U.S. program honored 38 Fairfax County schools for the first time with the Green Flag designation, including Bailey’s Upper Elementary School, Columbia ES, Wakefield Forest ES, and Justice High School.
To become a Green Flag school, students and teachers must earn a certain number of points that show their commitment to sustainability. This student-led program provides opportunities for youth leadership, raises environmental awareness, connects students to the natural world, and drives positive environmental change.
FCPS’s Get2Green program partners with Eco-Schools U.S. to provide a framework for schools to engage in student-led environmental action.
Schools must re-certify each year to be recognized by NWF. Among the 77 FCPS schools recognized as Green Flag Schools in 2025-26 are these schools in the Annandale/Mason District area: Annandale Terrace ES, Beech Tree ES, Belvedere ES, Braddock ES, Canterbury Woods ES, Mason Crest ES, and Woodson High School.