About Us

FCPS Quick Facts

FCPS is the ninth largest school division in the U.S. with 200 schools and centers. We serve a diverse population of more than 177,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students, speaking 194 languages. Over 35% of our total student population is economically disadvantaged (eligible for free or reduced-price meals), 17% receive special education services, 20% are multilingual learners, and more than 7% are military-connected.

During the 2024-25 school year, approximately 36% of FCPS students identified themselves as white, 29% Hispanic, 19% Asian, 10% Black, 6% multiple races, .3% Native American or Alaskan Native, and .1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

Sustaining Excellence

According to  U.S. News and World Report , FCPS is home to seven of Virginia’s top ten high schools — including the #5 ranked high school in the nation — as well as four of the state’s top 15 middle schools, and five of the state’s top ten elementary schools.

Two hundred sixty-two students from 19 FCPS high schools are among the semifinalists named by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2026, marking a 40% increase compared to 2025. Eight-hundred-forty-eight FCPS students are national merit commended students.

FCPS students’ SAT scores consistently outpace both state and global benchmarks. FCPS ranked highest for 2025 average SAT scores at 1,183 when compared to Virginia (1,112) and global (1,029).

Ready for Real Life

For the class of 2025, 93.3% of FCPS students graduated on time (in four years of high school). 

Seven thousand FCPS students enrolled in one or more dual enrollment courses, 16,600 students earned industry credentials, and 5,400 are career and technical education (CTE) completers (students who successfully completed a CTE concentration sequence of courses and met requirements for graduation).

FCPS offers more than 100 Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB) approved courses. Students at every high school have opportunities to access college-level coursework. 

The Economic Engine of Fairfax County

FCPS — one of the largest employers in Virginia — has 41,298 employees (including part-time and hourly).

The School Operating Budget funds 25,625 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, of whom 92.6% are school-based and 7.4% are non-school-based. Our Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Approved Budget of $3.9 billion is primarily funded by Fairfax County. Eighty-five percent of the budget goes toward instruction, and the average cost per student is $21,986.

The FCPS bus fleet is one of the largest bus fleets in the U.S., transporting nearly 131,000 students on more than 1,600 buses each day. The fleet includes 31 electric buses.

FCPS has more than 29 million square feet of school buildings and office space, and has earned a total of 993 ENERGY STAR building certifications at 188 different sites, including seventy in 2025. To earn this, a building must rank among the top 25% in energy performance in its peer group nationwide.

FCPS is located in Fairfax County, Virginia, the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia and the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, with more than one million residents.

According to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority,  FCPS “offers an unparalleled quality of education and environment for children to thrive,” with a “rich array of programs for students of all grade levels and abilities.”