Countdown to the First Day of School

Get ready for the 2025-26 school year!

The first day of class, Monday, August 18, is just around the corner! Follow our 10-day calendar of back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start. 

Countdown 'til School Starts

10 days to go

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten students stand shoulder to shoulder before a sign that says

Ten days to go until the first day of school for FCPS! Be sure to register any children who turn five before September 30. Find out more about  registering children for school

9 days to go

Bookmark the School Year Calendar

students raise their hands

The first day of school is nine days away! Want to know more about school holidays? Check out the  2025-26 school year calendar . Please note, school is in session on  Observance Days , but certain activities cannot take place. Learn more about  religious and cultural observances officially recognized by FCPS.

8 days to go

Update Immunizations

A girl points to a band aid on her shoulder, where she was just immunized

Only eight more days until #FirstDayFairfax! FCPS follows state immunization requirements. Learn more about  required immunizations and free immunization locations .

7 days to go

Monitor Your Child’s Success

A mother hugs her teenaged son, who is wearing a graduation cap

One week until school starts! If you do not already have a  SIS ParentVUE account , sign up now to monitor and support your child’s academic success. If you already have one, make sure to  keep your contact information up-to-date so you receive communications from your child’s teacher and school! 

6 days to go

Get News From Your School

Students stand in a stream

Six days to go! Make sure you sign up for email newsletters from your school and FCPS This Week with  News You Choose to stay informed about all things FCPS. Also look for FCPS and your school on  Facebook and Instagram

5 days to go

Learn About Student Meals

a student helps themself to fresh fruit and vegetables in a lunch line

Five more days until #FirstDayFairfax! Learn about using MySchoolBucks to  purchase meals at school , how to  apply for free and reduced-price meals , and  accommodations for dietary restrictio ns and allergens. 

Menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals , as well as allergen and nutrition information, are online. 

4 days to go

Plan Transportation

a student stands in front of a bus, waving

Four days to go! Does your student know the route they’ll walk to school or where to wait for their bus? FCPS is committed to safely transporting our students to school each day. Bus schedules were emailed to families in August. Contact  Transportation Services with questions or concerns.

3 days to go

Access Technology Resources

students sitting in front of laptops talk to each other and laugh

Three days until #FirstDayFairfax! Parents and caregivers can use technology to support their child’s learning. Parental involvement ensures safe and responsible use of technology, promoting digital citizenship and online safety. Learn more about the  parent IT Support portal, how to reset passwords, digital citizenship, and helpful ap ps for families. 

Also be sure to talk to your students about  cell phone policy expectations , which have been updated this school year. 

days to go

Explore Schoology 

A student holds up a white board reading

Only two more days until school starts! Did you know that students and caregivers can access content related to their classroom assignments in  Schoology ? Learn more about the features available to parents and how to help your student log in to their Schoology account. 

1 day to go

Learn About Attendance 

happy students give a thumbs up

Tomorrow’s the big day! Regular attendance at school increases the likelihood that students will graduate on time. Learn more about  attendance policies and how to communicate with your child’s teacher or school about absences. 

Monday, August 18 - Welcome Back! 

We hope you had a great summer. We know this will be a wonderful school year. 

A teacher hugs a young student outside a classroom

Other Back-to-School Information

From gathering supplies and updating medical records to establishing bedtime routines and organizing transportation, there’s a lot for caregivers to consider. These resources outline the essential tasks caregivers should tackle to ensure their child is ready to start the year off.