Fairfax Seniors, Freshmen Join Others In Hybrid Learning

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools brought back additional students for hybrid learning Tuesday, including freshmen entering their school buildings for the first time.

The Group 8 students, which include grades eight, nine and 12 as well as some Secondary Public Day Programs, make up around 25,000 students. This number only represents those who opted into hybrid learning; families had the choice of enrolling in hybrid learning when available or remaining in virtual learning. Hybrid learning includes two days of in-person learning and three virtual days per week.

Groups 1 to 4, which include some Career and Technical Education and Special Education students, were the first students to return to hybrid learning on Feb. 16. These groups had been enrolled in hybrid learning in the fall, but Groups 3 and 4 were moved back to virtual learning in late 2020, and hybrid learning was paused for the other groups starting with winter break. With students now back in the classrooms, the number of in-person days varies for Groups 1 to 4.

The next to return was Group 5, which includes pre-K and kindergarten students. According to FCPS, many of these students experienced in-person learning for the first time. The group encompasses around 7,000 students. Pre-K and kindergarten students get two in-person days per week, while early Head Start and special education students in the group get four in-person days.

The next groups to return will be grades one, two, seven, 10 and 11, as well as Poe, Glasgow, and Holmes Middle School grades six and seven on March 9. These students will get two days of in-person learning. Grades three to six and more Secondary Public Day Programs will return on March 16 and receive two days of in-person learning.

Families can check the FCPS family guide for return to school for information on safety protocols and procedures.

Check out some images from the first day for seniors, freshmen and eighth graders.