Advanced Academic Program Centers Considered For All FCPS Middle Schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Every middle school in Fairfax County Public Schools may soon have their own Advanced Academic Program Centers, according to a release from School Board Member Kyle McDaniel (At-large).

During its Thursday night meeting, the school board approved a motion by McDaniel and seconded by School Board Member Robyn Lady (Dranesville) directing Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to draft a plan to putting AAP centers in the county's middle schools. The board would consider implementation of the plan at a future meeting.

“This is about making sure every middle school student has access to rigorous academic opportunities in their base school, in their own community,” McDaniel said. “The motion doesn’t add new costs today — it simply asks for a plan. My goal is to look closely at staffing and resources so we can assess whether we can do this in a cost-neutral way. Academic rigor, and access to advanced academic programming are core tenets of FCPS, and I was proud to bring this forward.”

During the 2023 election, Lady advocated to put an AAP center in each of the county's middle schools.

"We have amazing students in Fairfax County and it is imperative that we provide the appropriate academic programs and rigor in each neighborhood school," she said. "I look forward to seeing the plan that Dr. Reid brings forward and learn how we can scaffold the implementation of this across the district over the next several years.”

Reid will present the AAP center plan to the school board by March 2026.