The 2025-26 school calendar will keep students in class on Veterans Day as board responds to parent concerns about frequent schedule changes.
By Patricia Nguyen | The Commonwealth Wire
The Fairfax County School Board voted to eliminate the Veterans Day holiday for students in the 2025-26 academic year, keeping schools open on Nov. 11 as part of broader calendar changes designed to reduce disruptions throughout the school year.
The decision, reached during the board’s April meeting, came after extensive community input regarding the frequency of schedule interruptions that have affected families and educators in Virginia’s second-largest school district.
“We heard repeatedly from parents about the challenges of managing multiple days off scattered throughout the year,” said School Board Chair [Name], following the vote in Fairfax County. “This calendar aims to provide more consistency for our families while maintaining our commitment to education.”
Under the new calendar, Fairfax County Public Schools will continue to observe other federal holidays including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, and Memorial Day. The Veterans Day change affects approximately 189,000 students across the district’s 198 schools.
The calendar debate highlighted ongoing tensions between providing adequate instructional time and honoring important national observances. Several board members noted that Virginia requires a minimum of 180 instructional days, and eliminating scattered single-day holidays helps consolidate longer breaks that are less disruptive to learning.
Parent reactions have been mixed. Some families expressed support for fewer interruptions to the academic schedule, particularly those with working parents who struggle to arrange childcare for single-day closures. Others raised concerns about the message sent by not observing Veterans Day, especially in Northern Virginia’s military-connected communities.
“Many of our families have service members, and this day holds significant meaning,” said parent Jennifer Martinez during the public comment period. “We should find other ways to streamline the calendar without removing this recognition.”
The board also approved other calendar modifications for 2025-26, including adjustments to winter break timing and professional development days. The changes are expected to result in fewer standalone holidays throughout the academic year.
Fairfax County joins several other Virginia school districts that have modified their Veterans Day observances in recent years. Some districts have moved to holding special assemblies or programs while maintaining regular class schedules.
The new calendar will take effect with the start of the 2025-26 school year in late August. District officials said they will continue monitoring family feedback and may consider further adjustments for future academic years.
Fairfax County Public Schools serves communities throughout Northern Virginia, including the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, as well as portions of Fairfax County.
Key Facts
- Fairfax County School Board eliminated Veterans Day as a student holiday for 2025-26 to reduce calendar disruptions
- The decision affects approximately 189,000 students in Virginia’s second-largest school district
- Other federal holidays including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Memorial Day will continue to be observed
- The change aims to provide more consistency for families struggling with scattered single-day closures
