Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has announced a series of revisions, postponements, and eliminations regarding planned redistricting proposals following extensive public input. Superintendent Michelle Reid released her updated recommendations for new attendance boundaries last week, just days before the final public hearing set for Thursday, January 22.
This boundary review process, initiated in fall 2024, is part of a five-year evaluation cycle mandated by a new policy from the school board aimed at reassessing boundaries across the district. This marks the first comprehensive redistricting effort in four decades, addressing long-standing capacity issues that have resulted in a fragmented administrative approach and various attendance islands with no geographic ties.
In response to feedback from a public hearing held on January 10, Superintendent Reid acknowledged the need for a more measured approach. “It’s clear that we need to phase the recommendations to be thoughtful for all of our communities,” she stated.
Among the notable revisions, proposed changes affecting Keene Mill, Cardinal Forest, and White Oaks elementary schools in Springfield have been postponed to January 2027. Initially, the recommendation aimed to dismantle a Keene Mill attendance island by redistributing it between Cardinal Forest and White Oaks. Additionally, changes affecting two Rolling Valley Elementary attendance areas will also see delays, while another area will continue to be studied for future adjustments.
The proposed redistricting involving Glasgow Middle School has now been significantly scaled back, with only one area moving to Poe Middle School instead of the originally planned six areas transitioning to Poe and Holmes Middle Schools. Changes regarding Glasgow’s boundaries in relation to Beech Tree and Belvedere elementary schools will also be considered in 2027.
A similar adjustment was made concerning high schools, with proposals for Justice, Annandale, and Falls Church high schools being altered, removing Annandale from the plan. Now, only one area will transfer from Justice to Falls Church, affecting 46 students.
Concerns were raised during the public hearing, particularly from high school students who expressed worries about how redistricting would impact their college preparations. Willow Rosenthal, a junior at Justice High, articulated her frustration, stating, “This is the last thing that I and my fellow students need to be worrying about right now.”
Additionally, a new proposal involves transferring an attendance area from Franklin Middle School to Rocky Run Middle School, impacting fewer than 10 students, and seeks to further examine boundaries for Lewis and West Springfield high schools for potential future adjustments.
Overall, the proposed changes now estimate to affect approximately 1,697 students, including 859 at the elementary school level, 364 in middle schools, and 474 in high schools. The final public hearing on these redistricting changes is scheduled for Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School in Merrifield, inviting community members to weigh in on the updated plans.