Out-of-School Support

Educational services for students who are unable to attend school due to illness or disciplinary action.

Out-of-School Support (OSS) consists of homebound instruction, home-based instruction, and temporary academic support.  OSS provides continuity of educational services between the classroom and home, health care facility, or other situation for a student who, because of illness or disciplinary action, is unable to attend school.  For more in depth information, click on the tiles below.

Out-of-School Support: Homebound Instruction

Homebound services may be provided to students who have a medical condition preventing them from participating in classroom instruction because they are confined to their home or a healthcare facility during the standard school year.

Out-of-School Support: Home-based Instruction

Home-based instruction may be provided to special education students who have been removed from school due to disciplinary or other reasons.

Temporary Academic Support

Temporary academic support is available for students who are unable to attend school due to a principal’s out-of-school suspension for ten or more school days with a referral to the Division Superintendent.

For more information, email the OSS mailbox [email protected] or contact

  • Kristin Dougherty, Educational Specialist – General Education/504 and Discipline Focus – [email protected]
  • Derek Smith, Manager – Special Education and Out-of-County/Residential Focus - [email protected]

Alternative and Nontraditional School Programs

Alternative and Nontraditional School Programs include the Interagency Alternative School (IAS) programs, alternative and nontraditional high schools, the AIM (Achievement, Integrity, and Maturity) Program, state-operated programs, out-of-school support, and the Fairfax Adult High School.

Learn more about nontraditional and alternative programs

Related Pages

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

Expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment.

Out-of-School Support: Homebound Instruction

Homebound services may be provided to students who have a medical condition preventing them from participating in classroom instruction because they are confined to their home or a healthcare facility during the standard school year.

Special Education Glossary

Common terms and acronyms related to special education instruction, procedures, and services.

AIM Program (Achievement, Integrity, and Maturity)

Serving students who have been referred by the Division Superintendent due to serious violations of the code of conduct outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet.

Special Education Handbook for Parents

FCPS provides a range of special education services for students aged 2 to 21 who have mild to severe disabilities. Some sections may include specialized vocabulary due to regulatory requirements.

Learn more about nontraditional and alternative programs

Programs include alternative high schools and learning centers, the Interagency Alternative School (IAS), the AIM Program (Achievement, Integrity, and Maturity), state programs, out-of-school support, and the adult high school.