FCPS by the Numbers
FCPS is one of the largest school divisions in the U.S. with 199 schools and centers. We serve a diverse student population of nearly 183,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12, speaking over 200 languages. Over 33.4% of our total student population is economically disadvantaged (eligible for free or reduced price meals); 15.5% are reported as Students with Disabilities, and 18.8% of students are English Learners.
Demographically, 36.5% of FCPS students are white, 28% are Hispanic, 19% are Asian, 9.8% are Black, and 6.6% are two or more races.
For the class of 2023, 93.4% of FCPS students graduated on time (in four years of high school), and more than 86.8% planned to pursue post-secondary education. FCPS students can take Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes in high school; the division offers the IB middle years program and the IB primary years program in select schools. Two hundred thirty-eight students from 18 high schools have been named semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2023. Fairfax County high schools are recognized annually by education columnist Jay Mathews as being among the most challenging high schools in the U.S.
FCPS, one of the largest employers in Virginia, has 25,175 full-time employees, of whom 92.5% are school-based and 7.5% non-school-based. Our FY 2024 Approved Budget of $3.5 billion is primarily funded by Fairfax County (68.9%) with contributions from Virginia (26.6%) and other sources (4.5%). More than 86% of the budget goes toward instruction, and the average cost per student is $19,795.
The FCPS bus fleet is one of the largest bus fleets in the U.S., transporting more than 141,000 students on over 1,600 buses each day. The fleet includes 28 electric buses, with three more to be added in April 2024.
FCPS has more than 28 million square feet of school buildings and office space, including 187 Energy Star certified buildings (more than any other school system in the country).
