On January 22, 2026, in an 8-to-3 vote, the Fairfax County school board approved the proposed amended school boundaries, finalizing the first district-wide redistricting plan in decades. The new boundary changes will take effect beginning with the 2026–27 school year, allowing time for families to prepare.
The vote came after a multi-year effort aimed at addressing enrollment imbalances, overcrowding, and long-standing feeder pattern issues across Fairfax County. Superintendent Michelle Reid presented final recommended boundary adjustments to the School Board for consideration, incorporating months of community feedback and data analysis. Under the superintendent’s proposal, boundary changes focused on more than 50 schools and approximately 2,200 students countywide.
Several Northern and Central Fairfax neighborhoods were among those most impacted. Planning areas tied to McLean, Falls Church, Vienna, Annandale, Fairfax City-adjacent neighborhoods, and parts of West Springfield were included in the proposed adjustments. Specific changes involve shifting select neighborhoods between elementary schools feeding into Longfellow, Luther Jackson, and Poe Middle School pyramids, as well as adjustments connected to Madison, Marshall, Oakton, and Justice High Schools. Portions of communities near major corridors such as Route 7, I-66, and the Beltway were also included, reflecting growth patterns and transportation considerations.
FCPS emphasized that the proposal aims to keep neighborhoods together where possible while improving continuity from elementary through high school. However, for some families, the changes may mean a different feeder pattern than previously expected, along with new bus routes or school start times.
What This Means for Fairfax Residents
For homeowners and prospective buyers, school boundaries remain a significant factor in housing decisions. While no boundary changes are easy, district leaders say the goal was to create a more balanced, sustainable system that reflects Fairfax County’s evolving communities.
