FCPS Future-Ready Index
Preparing Students for the Future
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to providing students with an education that meets the demands of today and anticipates the needs of tomorrow . The Future-Ready Index (FRI) is a tool developed to monitor the key conditions, capacities, and outcomes that shape educational attainment, well-being, and long-term economic security for all students . By using a research-based national framework, this index provides transparent, accessible data that empowers families and the public to understand how FCPS supports student success .
What Is the Future-Ready Index?
The Future-Ready Index is a new tool designed to demonstrate how well FCPS supports students on their journey from early learning through graduation and beyond.
The Index serves as a guide for continuous improvement, highlighting the key conditions, opportunities, and outcomes that research indicates are most crucial for long-term student success.
What Is the Research Base?
The Index is built on the Education-to-Workforce Framework , a nationally recognized model created by education researchers and national experts. The framework pulls together evidence from over 40 existing frameworks and research to identify what matters most for students from preschool through adulthood.
Why Does This Matter?
The Index provides families, staff, and the community with a clear picture of how FCPS is performing in preparing students for future success in college, careers, and life. It:
- Highlights where FCPS is excelling and where more work is needed.
- Provides a transparent and accessible way to understand student progress.
- Ensures that every student is supported.
By using this framework, FCPS can ensure that goals are based on solid research and can be compared to those of other school districts nationwide.
Five Domains of Opportunities

The Index is organized into five easy-to-understand domains that reflect this national framework while also focusing on the unique FCPS context and strategic priorities.
Each domain has five indicators which show how the Division is progressing toward shared goals — from academic growth and post-secondary outcomes to school climate, engagement, and access to meaningful learning experiences. Together, these indicators will provide a more complete picture of how FCPS is preparing students not only for success today, but also for the rapidly changing world ahead.
The Index uses a star system to provide a quick and transparent view of our progress. A full star means performance exceeds a comparable national or state reference point. 1 If no comparable data exists, the Index uses transparent, locally defined goals. This approach enables FCPS to communicate progress clearly, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.
Rigorous, accelerated academic coursework, coupled with an intentional focus on post-secondary readiness, are foundational for students’ long-term success .
| Indicator | FCPS | Comp | Star | Measure and Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rigorous Coursework
|
81% | >72% | ★ | Percent of students participating in AP, IB, and DE courses [ VDOE Advanced Programs Participation by School, for SY 2023-24 ] |
|
Advanced Achievement
|
79% | >65% | ★ | Percent of AP exams passed [College Board, for SY 2023-24] |
|
Mastery of Core Subjects
|
1178 | >1024 | ★ | Average SAT score [Published SAT scores, for SY 2023-24] |
|
College Going
|
79% | >64% | ★ | Percent of graduates with federally-recognized diplomas enrolled in an institution of higher ed within 16 months of graduation [ VDOE Postsecondary Enrollment, for SY 2022-23 |
|
Early Excellence in Math
|
62% | >43% | ★ | Percent of 8th graders who passed a high school math SOL [ FCPS SY 2024-25 Goal 3 Report, for SY 2023-24 ] |
Student well-being, psychological safety, and a sense of belonging are foundational to academic achievement and long-term life outcomes .
| Indicator | FCPS | Comp | Star | Measure and Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Safety
|
5.1 | >4.9 | ★ | Extent to which students in grades 6-8 who feel safe in their classes, out of 6 [ Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions, for SY 2024-25 |
|
Positive School Climate
|
4.2 | >3.9 | ★ | Extent to which students in grades 6-8 feel the atmosphere of their school is positive, out of 6 [ Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions, for SY 2024-25 |
|
Welcoming
|
92% | >80%* | ★ | Percent of parents and caregivers who feel their school welcomes families of diverse backgrounds [ FCPS SY 2024-25 EL 3 Report, for SY 2023-24 ] |
|
Enrichment
|
86% | >75% | ★ | Percent of students in grades 6-8 who are able to participate in afterschool activities [ FCPS SY 2024-25 Goal 4 Report, for SY 2023-24 ] |
|
Attendance
|
87% | >84% | ★ | Percent of students who are not chronically absent [ FCPS SY 2024-25 Goal 2 Report, for SY 2023-24 ] |
>80% used when national or state comparison data are not available, in alignment with Virginia's new School Performance and Support Framework that sets "On Track" performance at 80 points on a 100-point scale for schools.
As students prepare for an increasingly complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing world, schools must provide experiences and opportunities that connect learning to real-world contexts.
| Indicator | FCPS | Comp | Star | Measure and Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Technical Skills
|
28% | >30% | 0 | Percent of high school students earning 1 or more industry-recognized credentials [ Virginia School Quality Profiles, for SY 2024-25 ] |
|
Real World Experience
|
3.7% | >4.5% | 0 | Percent of high school students participating in high-quality work-based learning [ Career and Technical Education High School Courses & Work-Based Learning Dashboard ] |
|
Access to CTE Pathways
|
33% | >25% | ★ | Percent of possible CTE pathways offered [ CTE Completers by Career Pathway by Division, for SY 2022-23 ] |
|
Commitment to Service
|
55% | >32% | ★ | Percent of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 who spend time performing community service [ Fairfax County Youth Survey, for SY 2023-24 ] |
|
Multilingualism
|
31% | >7% | ★ | Percent of graduates with a seal of Biliteracy [ FCPS, SY 2024-25 EL 9 Report, for SY 2023-24 ; state comp is SY 2022-23] |
Teacher preparation, professional development, and school leadership are key drivers of student academic engagement and achievement.
| Indicator | FCPS | Comp | Star | Measure and Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Connection
|
4.8 | >4.7 | ★ | Extent to which students in grades 6-8 feel adults at their school care about them, out of 6 [ Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions, for SY 2024-25 ] |
|
Quality
|
91% | >91% | ★ | Percent of teachers who are fully licensed [ Virginia School Quality Profiles, for SY 2024-25 ] |
|
Expertise
|
96% | >95% | ★ | Percent of teachers who are experienced [ Virginia School Quality Profiles, for SY 2024-25 ] |
|
Support
|
173:1 | <143:1 | 0 | Ratio of students to medical and wellness support staff [ Staffing and Vacancy Report Build-a-Table, for SY 2024-25 ] |
|
Focus on Learning
|
87% | >80%* | ★ | Percent of students who feel teachers want them to deeply understand material [FCPS Student Experiences Survey, for SY 2024-25] |
>80% used when national or state comparison data are not available, in alignment with Virginia's new School Performance and Support Framework that sets "On Track" performance at 80 points on a 100-point scale for schools.
The surrounding conditions in which learning and development occur play a critical role in shaping educational and workforce outcomes .
| Indicator | FCPS | Comp | Star | Measure and Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Commitment to Public K12
|
87% | >85% | ★ | Percent of 5-17 year olds enrolled in public school [ FCPS analysis of 2019-2023 5-year ACS, IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota ] |
|
Affordable Public Pre-K
|
28% | >22% | ★ | Percent of income-eligible children under 5 that could be served in publicly funded ECCE [ Ready Regions Dashboard ] |
|
Public School Financing
|
100% | >80%* | ★ | Percent of education bonds passed [ Virginia Elections Database ] |
|
Local Matching
|
121% | >74% | ★ | Percent of local operational expenditures above state matching requirements [ Required Local Effort and Required Local Match, for SY 2023-24 ] |
|
Investment in Instruction
|
66% | >63% | ★ | Percent of budget spent on direct instruction [ Virginia School Quality Profiles, for SY 2023-24 ] |
>80% used when national or state comparison data are not available, in alignment with Virginia's new School Performance and Support Framework that sets "On Track" performance at 80 points on a 100-point scale for schools.
1 Note that comparisons to state or national data serve only as reference points, not exact equivalents, since measures may differ across systems.
Looking Ahead
The Future-Ready Index is a living framework. As new research emerges and the needs of our students change, the Index will continue to adapt to remain a meaningful guide for our community.


