On February 8, 2024 the Fairfax County School Board approved the FY 2025-29 Capital Improvement Program, with the amendment to include Coates Elementary in the Priority Recommended Boundary Adjustments table, with potential boundary scoping in the Fall of 2024 or Spring 2025. This inclusion of Coates Elementary in the approved CIP will allow staff to address the current and projected capacity deficit, student membership growth at the school, and the number of temporary classrooms at the school.

As of SY 2023-24, the school is at 131% capacity utilization, and is projected to be at 172% in SY 2028-29.  The school site currently utilizes 20 temporary classrooms. 

School and division staff, along with the Fairfax County School Board, are working with the community to determine the best way to address the capacity challenges facing Coates Elementary School.

Fairfax County Public Schools is also conducting a divisionwide review of school boundaries. The first set of community meetings for this larger effort will take place between mid-November and mid-December. The meetings for Coates Elementary School are separate from the divisionwide review.  

Engagement Opportunities 

Information on current engagement opportunities will be shared with the Coates community as they are scheduled. 

Future Engagement 

Information on future engagement will be shared with the Coates community as they are scheduled. 

Past Information, Engagement and Feedback

Information will be updated once it has been shared and engagement has occurred.

Proposed Boundary Adjustments

For boundary adjustments, the Division Superintendent is directed to consider the need to make adjustments governed by School Board Policy 8130.

Learn more about the boundary policy review.

Priority recommended boundary adjustment options and program changes are included in the annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for future consideration only

About the Capital Improvement Program 

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies projects such as new construction, capacity enhancement, renovation, and potential site acquisitions. In a district as large as Fairfax County, the number of possible CIP projects is large. The School Board, with information and guidance from FCPS staff, votes on proposed projects to be included in the CIP every year. It may take many years, sometimes decades, for a project to make it into an approved CIP package. 

The CIP is a management tool used to coordinate the location, timing, and funding of identified capital projects over five years. Because the scope of the CIP is extensive, and the process is multilayered, it can be confusing. Learn more about the CIP. 

About the Bond Referendum 

Every two years, Fairfax County voters have an opportunity to vote on the school bond referendum and support student success. This action is necessary because the building and renovation of schools is not financed through the school district’s operating funds. Learn more about the Bond Referendum.