Update: School Board Approves Boundary Adjustment

On June 17, 2021, the Fairfax County School Board voted to approve a boundary adjustment for the elementary schools in the Justice High School pyramid. The approved boundary adjustment is a modified version of the Superintendent’s recommendation and reassigns an estimated 497 students. The new boundaries will go into effect with the start of the 2021-22 school year. The first day of school is August 23, 2021. 

The boundary adjustment brings capacity relief to Glen Forest Elementary School, which is over capacity and projected to increase in enrollment in the next few years. As a result of the boundary adjustment, one modular building with classrooms will be removed from Glen Forest due to the fact is it is nearing the end of its lifecycle. The boundary adjustment positively impacts traffic due to a reduction in busing needs, does not impact current walk zones, and removes one attendance island. 

If a student's home address is part of the new boundary, rising kindergarten and 1st grade students will need to enroll in the new school. If a student will be in grades 2-5 next school year, they can choose to stay at the current school until they move to middle school or they can enroll in the new school. 

Bailey's, Bailey's Upper, Beech Tree, Belvedere, Parklawn, and Sleepy Hollow Elementary Schools are impacted by the boundary change as they have capacity to accommodate additional students. By changing the boundaries, the projected enrollment at all the elementary schools in the Justice pyramid will be brought below 1,000 students.

The boundary adjustment does not impact the middle school and high school boundaries. 

Common Questions:

When does the new school boundary go into effect?

The new school boundary will go into effect with the new school year which begins on August 23, 2021. 

How will I know which school boundary my home is assigned to?

FCPS will send information soon to all parents in the Justice pyramid about the new school boundaries. The information will include maps of the areas reassigned and a street listing of addresses reassigned within each school boundary. 

I have a child that starts kindergarten in the fall. How do I know which school they attend?

FCPS will provide parents a street listing of addresses reassigned within each boundary. The information will also be updated in the boundary locator. Enter your home address into the boundary locator to find your school attendance boundary. Parents can also call Facilities Planning at 571-423-2320 for school assignment information. 

Does my rising 5th grader need to change schools if we are assigned to a new school?

No, rising 2-5 grade students can choose to remain at their current school or enroll at the newly assigned school.

All of my child’s friends will be able to stay at our current school. We live in an area where the boundary is changing. Can we stay at our school so my child can remain with his/her friends?

If your child is in kindergarten or first grade, they will need to enroll in the new school. If your child will be in grades 2-5 next school year, they can choose to stay at the current school or enroll in the new school. 

Will FCPS provide transportation to my new school?

Yes, if you do not live within the walking zone for your assigned school, FCPS will provide bus transportation to students who live outside of the walking zone for your assigned school. 

What if I want my children to attend a school other than the one they are assigned to attend?

A student is expected to attend the school that serves his or her attendance area. However, student transfer information is available if a parent would like to transfer a student from a base school to another school within FCPS. Transfer requests are considered for very specific reasons as outlined in FCPS School Board Regulation 2230. Some schools are closed to transfer students. 

It should be noted that student transfers will be considered if the school capacity, grade-level capacity, and the school curricular program at the requested school will permit, as determined by FCPS. 

You must first be registered at a neighborhood school before submitting a request for student transfer.

If my child attends the AAP center not located at our base school, do we change schools?

If your child is already enrolled in the AAP center, they do not need to change schools.

The boundary adjustment changed the elementary school my neighborhood attends. Does the boundary adjustment change our middle or high school boundary?

No, the boundary adjustment only changed the attendance boundary for some elementary schools in the Justice pyramid. The middle school and high school boundaries remain the same. 

My school boundary has been changed. I have a child who will be a rising 5th grader who wants to remain at her current school. I have another child who will be a rising 1st grader. Can my 1st grader attend the same school as my 5th grader?

If your home is in the new school boundary, all rising kindergarteners and 1st graders will need to attend their new assigned school. We are not able to accommodate sibling requests. Your 5th grade student can choose to remain at their current school or attend the new assigned school. 

If my rising 3rd grader wants to stay at their current school, do I need to let the school know he/she is staying?

Please contact your current school to let them know your child plans to remain at the school. 

How do I know which school my children will attend next year?

Please check the Street Listings for your home address and information on your assigned school. If you have questions, you can also contact Facilities Planning at 571-423-2320 for school assignment information. 
 

My children are assigned to the new school boundary. Do I need to contact the new school and enroll them or will their information be sent from their old school to the new school?

If your home is in the new school boundary, please contact your new school to enroll your children. 

I registered my child for kindergarten this spring. I just learned that we will be in a new school boundary next year. Do I need to re-register them at the new school now?

Please contact your new school to let them know your child will attend kindergarten next school year. The registration information will be sent to your new school. 

We are in the new school boundary. Will my children receive bus transportation to their new school? 

If you live in the zone that requires bus transportation for students, FCPS will provide bus transportation to your children’s new school. 

If I move to an address impacted by the boundary change, what school will my child attend? Are people that move into the area of the boundary change to attend the new assigned school or are they not phased because they aren’t “current students?”

Any new students that move into an area where the boundary changed, would follow the specified phasing. For example, if a 4th grader moved into an area with a boundary change they would have the option on which school to attend with that phased grade level.

Letter on Boundary Changes for School Year 2021-22

Proposed Boundary Adjustment Process

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) monitors student enrollment to make decisions on how best to use school spaces. Many of the elementary schools in the Justice High School pyramid have experienced an increase in student enrollment in the past several years. The elementary schools in the Justice High School pyramid are:

• Bailey’s Elementary 
• Bailey’s Upper 
• Beech Tree
• Belvedere
• Glen Forest
• Parklawn (split feeder)
• Mason Crest (split feeder)
• Sleepy Hollow

Each school’s capacity is determined by the amount of space (square footage) and the programs offered in the school building, such as preschool classes, Advanced Academics, special education classes, English for Speakers of Other Languages, immersion programs, and other instructional programs.  

When a school becomes overcrowded, one way to reduce overcrowding is to adjust the school attendance boundary and re-assign some students to a different school that has more room. This is done through the boundary adjustment process. FCPS held community meetings to share more information about the process in March and April 2021.

Any approved boundary adjustment related to the elementary schools will not change the middle or high school boundaries. 

Boundary Scoping Meetings in March

The process to adjust a school attendance boundary begins with a boundary scope meeting  (FCPS Regulation 8130.09). At the boundary scope meeting, FCPS staff explained the process and provided background information. Community members worked in small groups to provide feedback to staff about what schools might be considered in changing the elementary school boundaries.

Boundary scope community meetings (virtual) were held on March 9 and March 10.  Feedback was collected at the meetings and will be shared with the Superintendent and the School Board. 

Boundary Study Meetings in April 

The second step in the process is a boundary study meeting. Community meetings were held on April 19 and 20 (virtual) with the elementary school communities. 

During the boundary study meetings, options were presented for the community to consider. The options are based on input the community provided during the boundary scoping meetings in March. Please click on the presentation below:

The community provided feedback on the options: 

Recommendation on Boundary Adjustment at May 20 School Board Meeting

Based on the feedback, the Superintendent will make a recommendation to the School Board at the May 20 regular business meeting. A public hearing will be held on June 8 and final School Board action will be taken on June 17. 

Read May 17 Message on Proposed Boundary Adjustment

Sign up to speak at June 8 Public Hearing

Proposed Boundary Adjustment Recommendation

Reminder: June 8 School Board Public Hearing

Proposed Boundary Adjustment Timeline

The Fairfax County School Board will determine when any boundary adjustment becomes effective when they take action to approve a boundary adjustment.