Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring that each and every FCPS student has equitable access to excellence and opportunities in alignment with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan. As part of this commitment, we are undergoing a comprehensive boundary review for the first time in nearly four decades. This review will assess the boundaries across our district to better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, student health and wellness, and evolving community needs. 

On September 12, 2024, the School Board awarded a contract to Thru Consulting to manage the school boundary review for FCPS. This work will be conducted over a 16-month period, ending January 31, 2026. 

FCPS Boundary Policy Update: A New Path Forward for Our Schools

Why Is FCPS Conducting a Boundary Review?

The Fairfax County School Board voted to update FCPS Boundary Policy 8130 in July 2024. FCPS has not had a comprehensive review of boundaries since 1986 — nearly 40 years. Fairfax County and our school population have grown significantly since then. By reviewing boundaries, we seek to:

• Ensure equitable access to programs and facilities.
• Balance available capacity to make the best use of our school facilities.
• Establish consistent “attendance zones” by removing isolated attendance areas and reducing split feeder patterns. This would increase the likelihood that students from the same neighborhood would be assigned to the same schools which are also the closest option. 
• Minimize travel time for students.

Benefits of Potential Boundary Adjustments

According to educational research reviewed by the FCPS Office of Research and Strategic Improvement (ORSI), boundary adjustment decisions may be linked to better student achievement through instructional quality, budget optimization, and enhanced student well-being. These outcomes will help to ensure that each and every student reaches their greatest potential. 

Learn more about potential benefits of boundary adjustments.

Community Engagement

Robust community engagement across FCPS is a critical part of the boundary review process. It is required by FCPS Boundary Policy 8130 and the Code of Virginia.

Boundary Review Advisory Committee 

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee will include a diverse group of parents/caregivers, school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and community members. (The application is now closed. Committee members will be selected soon.) Unique perspectives and insights will be invaluable as we work together to ensure this process is transparent, includes significant community participation and feedback, and always keeps students at the center of every decision. 

Boundary Review Advisory Committee meetings will be held every two weeks, then they will transition to once per month. 

Boundary Review Community Meetings

This first set of community meetings includes one meeting in each of Fairfax County Public Schools' six regions. We encourage you to attend a meeting in your region to learn more about the boundary review process and provide input. If you are unable to attend your region's meeting, you may attend another. All meetings will be in person and will follow the same format. Language interpretation will be available as needed.