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2020 School Start Date

In the fall of each year, the Falls Church School Board reviews proposed changes in the school calendar for the coming year. This year, those changes can include moving the first day of school earlier in the calendar year.

Effective July 1, 2019, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing school divisions to start the school year up to 14 days before the September Labor Day holiday. So in addition to deciding the dates of Winter and Spring Breaks, professional development days, graduation and the like, this year the School Board can make adjustments to the Start Date.

The Board is currently scheduled to vote on the new 2020-2021 Calendar on December 17th.

Share your views with the board at any time: calendar@fccps.org

School Calendar Survey Open ThrougH Nov. 29th

Thank you in advance for your assistance as Falls Church City Public Schools works to improve how we serve our students, families, and community. We appreciate your time.

Effective July 1, 2019, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing school divisions to start the school year up to 14 days before the September Labor Day holiday. Previously school divisions were required to apply for a waiver from the Virginia Department of Education, which is no longer required under the law. School divisions must still meet the state's 180 school day minimum requirement but now have more flexibility regarding school calendars.

The purpose of this survey is to learn more about the perceptions FCCPS stakeholders have regarding this change and when they feel the school year should start.

The deadline to complete this survey is November 29th at 6:00 p.m. EST

Please note, any potential change will NOT impact the current 2019-2020 school year calendar. Again, thank you for participating in this survey.

SURVEY: 2020-21 SCHOOL CALENDAR SURVEY

November 12, 2019 - School Board Regular Session

The Falls Church School Board received four options for the 2020-21 school calendar from its Ad Hoc Calendar Committee during its regular meeting last night. 

The options include two that would see school opening two weeks before Labor Day and two with the first day of school on the day after Labor Day. The Virginia General Assembly last year changed the law allowing school systems to open up to fourteen days before Labor Day.

Tomorrow night, November 14th, there will be Community Outreach Meeting in the GMHS Mustang Cafe at 6:30 p.m. There will be a presentation of the four options and answers to questions from the public. 

On Friday, a public survey will open for two weeks on the four alternatives, with survey results published on December 5th. 

The School Board votes next year's calendar on December 17th.

School Board's Four Calendar Options

Summary of Calendar Option Differences

Calendar Options Presentation Slides

October 15, 2019 - School Board Work Session

As work begins in earnest on the 2020-21 School Calendar, the Falls Church School Board received a briefing from Superintendent Peter J. Noonan.  Included was information on how calendars are created, an explanation of the new Virginia legislation affecting calendar's going forward, and the engagement plan for public comment going forward.

Work Session Presentation Slides

2020-21 Holidays and Major Observances

2020-21 Month by Month Known Days

September 17, 2019 - School Board Work Session

The School Board opened the annual school calendar discussion on Tuesday. This is the first year that FCCPS has the option to start before Labor Day. The calendar development process was reviewed and initial questions raised.