One of my favorite stories about Falls Church and its school system is an anecdote about the construction of its first school, George Mason High School. The City declared its independence in 1948; the next year, the citizens voted for a bond to fund the construction of a new school. The intention was for the school to open in the fall of 1951, but a shortage of materials delayed the opening. Also, apparently, there wasn’t enough money to cover the cost of building an athletic field, so parent volunteers, lugging their own tools and equipment, dug and laid out the first football field in time for the 1952 fall season.
This image is the first one that comes to my mind when I consider the “secret sauce” that makes Falls Church what it is: A group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and consistently heed the call of President Kennedy’s famous maxim always asking themselves what they can do to make their community better.
I grew up in Falls Church. Like so many others, my parents were federal workers who sought out this particular Washington suburb for its school system. My father had an old-school belief in the power of public schools as the great equalizer. He was active in his community, serving in leadership roles on the FCCPS School Board and the Citizens for a Better City (CBC). My dad was the type of guy who did stuff himself and never once complained about circumstances. He’s a good stand-in for what makes this city special.
FCCPS is a DIY school system. It was created by people willing to work late nights to read and create state code, establish a council and school board, and write policy and zoning regulations. The government was the neighbor, and everything was, and remains, hyper-local.
Working for FCCPS has only reinforced this understanding. When I was hired in 2011, I asked to see the curriculum for the English courses I would be teaching. I had come from Ohio, where teachers were provided a binder with lessons scripted for the year. Instead, I was shown a book room in Falls Church and pointed to my options. The possibilities were liberating. I loved my years as a teacher in Falls Church because I knew I could depend on three things that made FCCPS a great place: the freedom and opportunity to influence and design innovative curriculum, amazing students who thrive in the same creative setting, and taxpayers (mostly parents, but crucially not always) committed to the success of our schools.
As principal, I have spent many hours interviewing and teaching candidates for FCCPS. I often use a metaphor to explain our school system: It is like shopping at the local hardware store rather than the Home Depot. We may not have everything in stock, the aisles might be a little cluttered, and the roof might leak, but the staff is friendly, and we will custom order whatever you’re looking for, and we will roll up our sleeves and dig through the aisles or mend the roof to give you what you need to succeed. For those who like finding their way, FCCPS is the perfect home.
About Peter Laub: The principal of Meridian High School in Falls Church City, Peter has worked in teaching and leadership roles since 2008. He lives in Falls Church with his wife and two sons, who attend FCCPS schools.