What Makes FCCPS a Special Place to Work?

FCCPS is a student-centered, innovative, and inclusive community of lifelong learners with an international reputation of excellence.

The schools are at the heart of the community.

Education has been at the heart of the Falls Church City  since our founding in 1948. Citizens sought and won legislation enabling the 2.2-square-mile town to become an independent city with its own school division. Our five schools are Jessie Thackrey Preschool, Mt. Daniel Elementary School, Oak Street Elementary School, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, Meridian High School.


Our Mission 

As a premier International Baccalaureate public school division, Falls Church City Public Schools personalizes learning to support each child's unique needs and to prepare every students to be a responsible, caring, and internationally-minded citizen.

GMHS sophomore presenting at MYP Personal Project Expo

International Baccalaureate for all students

FCCPS is the first and only Virginia school division offering IB curriculae to all students.

One of only nine IB Continuum divisions in the country.

• IB Primary Years Programme (PreK-5)

• IB Middle Years Programme (6-10)

• IB Diploma Programme (11-12)

IB Career-Related Programme (11-12)

• IB training provided to all teachers

Mt. Daniel Music class

Academic Excellence

• All schools are fully accredited.

• All schools are recognized for excellence at state and national level.

• All grades consistently score well above state and national averages on standardized tests.

• All schools have inclusive special education.

• All schools maintain small class sizes.

• All teachers are certified and highly-qualified.

• Most teachers hold advanced degrees.

IB Chemistry teacher and student

Technologically Advanced

• All teachers are issued Macbook Air or iPad.

• Secondary students 1-to-1 Macbooks.

• Elementary  Ipad and MacBook carts.

• Schoology 

•  PowerSchool

• PK-12 STEAM Focus

GMHS Band performance

Talented Employees

409 Full-time positions 

186 Full-time classroom teaching positions

191 Support staff positions 

226 Certified staff with advanced degrees

12 National Board Certified Teachers 


Community Grants

Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) competitive SuperGrants are open to all FCCPS teachers. More than $200,000 has been distributed in the past 3 years.

•  FCEF awards teacher training grants.

• All PTA organizations offer competitive grant programs for teachers.



Winners and nominees of FCEF Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Employee of the Year

Supportive Professional Environment 

• Mentoring Program  &  New Teacher Induction 

• Teacher-driven Professional Development

• National Board Certification Cohort

• Collaborative Teams at all schools

• School-based technology coaches

• Teachers supported division-wide by ESOL,  Special Education, Math,  International Baccalaureate and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Coordinators




Teacher and Student at Jessie Thackrey Preschool

Nurturing Schools provide Caring Community and Culture

Total number of students (as of 9/30/23) 2634

• Jessie Thackrey Preschool 75

• Mount Daniel School (K-2) 487

• Oak Street Elementary (3-5) 561

• Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (6-8) 616

• Meridian High (9-12) 895


Culturally Diverse City

30+ Native languages spoken by students 

• ESOL enrollment: 139

Graduation at DAR Constitution Hall

Motivated students

2023 Statistics

•  255  students took at least one IB exam 

44 IB Diplomas awarded 

• FCCPS average SAT scores: 1227

• 98.9% On-Time Graduation Rate

• 98% of graduates seek post-secondary ed


Students participate in

• Arts, Theatre, Band, Chorus

• 35  Varsity and JV sports and Activities

• FIRST Robotics and Vex Robotics

• Odyssey of the Mind

• Mock Trial

• CyberPatriot

• Hydroponics and Aquaponics Programs

• GIVE Day 

Service Learning Projects

• 5th grade PYP Project 

• 8th grade  MYP Community Project 

• 10th grade MYP Personal Project

• 11th & 12th grade IB CAS Project  

2018 FCEF Teacher of the Year Farrell Kelly works with 8th grade stuents.

Employment Benefits

General Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Apple Federal Credit Union Membership

• Tuition Waiver Program

• National Board Certification Program

• Sick Leave Bank or Short-Term Disability


Insurance Benefits

• Medical and Dental Plans

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Group Life and Voluntary Optional Life

• AFLAC Short-term Disability

• Long-term Disability


Retirement Plans

• Virginia Retirement Service

• Falls Church City Retirement Plan

• Tax-Sheltered Annuity Program


Leave Benefits

Six weeks of Parental Leave for eligible employees

• 10-month employees are advanced 13 days of sick leave in September.

• 12-month employees earn 10 hours of sick leave and 10 hours of annual leave per month.

Mt. Daniel First grade instruction

Salary

FCCPS strives to be among the highest-paid school divisions in Northern Virginia.

FCCPS Salary Scales 


FCCPS 2023-24 Operating Budget

Total operating budget $61,067,930

Per pupil expenditure $23,735


Involved Community 

Falls Church Education Foundation 

Business & Community Partnerships

FC Elementary PTA

Mary Ellen Henderson MS PTA

Falls Church City Band Boosters

FCCPS Choral Boosters

Meridian High School PTSA

Mustang Athletic Boosters

Learn more about FCCPS by registering online to receive Morning Announcements, a daily email.

Falls Church City Public Schools

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