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How to Find the Right School

Every family is faced with the question, "What school is right for my child?" Finding an atmosphere that is best for a child and that encourages optimal learning is an important and often overwhelming task. Fairfax County, alone, has more than 200 schools and centers.

All Fairfax County public schools share the mission of educating every child. To accomplish this, each school must offer a variety of programs and services that meet the needs of the variety of children it serves.

Parents of children currently residing in Fairfax County are encouraged to work with their neighborhood schools to determine needs and the best ways to meet those needs. Every address in Fairfax County is within the boundary of a specific elementary, middle, and high school. School personnel can also help with general enrollment procedures.

For families who are relocating to the area, the following information is provided to help you choose the neighborhood school that is right for you.

First, list what is important to you. This list could include:

• Course offerings
• Special academic programs
• Minimum or maximum total school enrollment (enrollment information is found in each school's profile)
• Academic achievement of current students
• School "rank"
• Home-school communication
• Active PTA
• Diversity among students and staff members
• Special education services
• English for Speakers of Other Languages services
• Location (cluster, pyramid, or geographic area).

Next, do some research. There are many ways to get more information:

• Visit the school. You are welcome to visit any Fairfax County school, but you are asked to call first to make arrangements.
• Make an appointment with the principal. Use the list of items that are important to you and your child to develop questions.
• Talk to the school principal and/or the PTA president.
• Contact the school parent liaison (many FCPS schools have parent liaisons who can be particularly helpful to families for whom English is not the native language).
• Talk to parents who have children currently enrolled at the school.
• Attend an event at the school that is open to the public.
• Visit the school web site.
• Review the school's profile.

For more information about Fairfax County Public Schools, explore the school system's web site or contact the FCPS Office of Community Relations at 703-423-1200 or fcpsinfo@fcps.edu

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