Poll: Do You Support Madison-Marshall High School Redistricting In Vienna?

VIENNA, VA — Amid debate about whether school boundary changes should split the Town of Vienna, we are polling Vienna Patch readers.

On Monday, Vienna Town Council opposed the Fairfax County Public Schools redistricting proposal that would move about 100 students who live in the northeast section of town from James Madison High School in Vienna to George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church. The school board has been considering boundary changes throughout Fairfax County for the first time in nearly 40 years to alleviate crowding at some schools and to ensure equal access to programs.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and members of the Town Council spoke out against the boundary proposal, noting James Madison High School is the heart of the town as the hometown school.

“The proposed boundary change would disrupt the sense of community all Town of Vienna residents enjoy now,” said Mayor Linda Colbert in a statement. “Moving a small segment of students to another school away from the other town residents they’ve grown up with will not only make them feel excluded; it will disrupt their sense of stability which can have a detrimental impact on their academic success and emotional well-being.”

In a video update Wednesday, Colbert said she met with FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid to share support for keeping the town in Madison High School boundaries.

"Dr. Reid was very receptive to what we had to say, and we hope for a good outcome," said Colbert.

But there's not a consensus of all Vienna area families.

Jessica Priemer, a parent of Wolftrap Elementary students in the Marshall High School pyramid, told Patch that there are Wolftrap families supportive of the boundary change. The mom cited Wolftrap Elementary students currently being split into two middle schools, and Kilmer Middle School being split into two other high schools. The school boundary proposal would eliminate split feeder schools for Wolftrap Elementary.

Priemer addressed the northeast Vienna section's concerns about town ties with a move to Marshall High School.

"I would argue that as a current Marshall family, we are just as tied to the town of Vienna," Priemersaid. "We have a Vienna address, we participate in town activities, we participate in community based camps, including Warhawk camps."

The proposed boundary change affecting the town is in Scenario 4. That proposal also moves a small portion outside town limits from Marshall to Madison.

Residents can view the proposed boundaries and leave comments through Nov. 14 within the redistricting map tool. Feedback will be incorporated into the advisory committee's review before a recommendation goes to the FCPS superintendent. The final decision is up to the Fairfax County School Board. The approval process is expected in December 2025 to January 2026.

So what do you think? Should the Town of Vienna stay entirely Madison High School, or can Marshall High School be included in town spirit? Take our poll below, and feel free to leave a comment.