Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is an excellent, award-winning school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Objective student achievement data alone doesn’t tell the whole story of who we are as a division and community. The following anecdote, or story, provides a story and fuller picture of what makes FCCPS special from my unique perspective.

When I first saw the kitchen, I held my breath. How was I supposed to host my family for the holidays in an 8’ by 10’ kitchen with seven layers of linoleum as floors and turquoise formica counters? Not to mention the less-than-tasteful swan-etched sliding shower door in the bathroom and every yard of the backyard covered in poison ivy. Little did I know this little house would come to hold my dearest memories of the next twenty years of my life. My husband Sean and I moved to Falls Church in October of 2006, bringing our two children, who were 2 and 4 years old.  While most people set out to find a house in the Little City, we just sort of just landed here.  We’d arrived from overseas and searched for a home close to the metro and bike path in the DC area and within our price range.  The little brick house on Parker Street might not have been exactly what I pictured, but it was just the place.

Nineteen years later, with the children now 23, 21, and 14 (we added one!), life in the Little City has been better than we could have ever imagined. The most central part of our wonderful experience here has been Falls Church City Public Schools. FCCPS checks so many boxes, but most importantly, it is filled with people who truly care about our students and one another. Our school system’s “secret sauce” is that the people continually look beyond themselves and go the extra mile to support our students. The school system is a microcosm of Falls Church itself—a place where neighbors and community members put in the time and effort to lift each other through all that life brings us.    

In addition to our many years as parents of children in the school system, I have been honored to serve on the School Board, including time as Chair during the pandemic (that was fun! ha!).  I have also served as president of the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School PTA and a classroom parent, and I volunteered in the ways many FCCPS parents volunteer – concessions, field day, dropping snacks for testing, teacher appreciation, and more.  Through all of these opportunities, I have been fortunate to get to know the school leadership, staff, volunteers, and all the people who touch and contribute to our school district. It’s become undeniable to me over the years that the “secret sauce” of Falls Church City Public Schools is in the people and the community.

In Falls Church City, you can’t separate the school system from the community; they are one and the same. 

Many people are drawn to Falls Church because of the schools. Our school system is the glue that holds the community together and gives it a strong sense of place. Many of our friendships as adults start because our kids know each other from school. These school buildings and our amazing school staff are where such a significant part of our lives take place: yes, our kids learn academics, but they also make friends, form connections, and learn how to be humans! In the school buildings, we gather for performances, games, practices, concerts, showcases, and more. Falls Church City is strong because what we value as a community, above all else, is each other. The places we get to value each other through talking and gathering are our schools. It is so often in the schools and through relationships made through them that we as a community are able to lift each other up.

As we think about what makes this community special, one thing that must be acknowledged is that Falls Church City is a well-resourced community that provides many advantages. FCCPS is consistently rated as a high-achieving school system with some of the highest test scores in the state, which is not surprising given the relative income and education levels in the area.   There are many districts throughout the state and country that are doing amazing work with significantly fewer resources and are serving communities that face greater challenges.  The advantages must be acknowledged, so I do not in any way want to claim FCCPS is ‘better’ than other districts based on achievement and test scores.  Instead, I just want to celebrate the things that make this a unique and special school system and community. 

There are numerous facets of ‘community’ that are part of this Secret Sauce.  Lifting each other up through life’s ups and downs isn’t something you’ll find in every community across the country. Falls Church City and its schools attract a certain kind of person and offer specific benefits for community members that help us be there for each other and connect day in and day out. To break down a few of these points:

• People Who Choose to Live Here: Most people who choose Falls Church City do so because they value education and community.  In the greater DC area, there are many areas where people can choose to live.  Some have greater prestige, nicer houses, sprawling lawns, and beautiful settings.   There are also prestigious private schools with fancy offerings where you can send your kids and rub elbows with the power elite of Washington, D.C.  But people choose FCCPS for a reason.  FCCPS has a reputation as a strong public school system, so people who hold education of their children as a top priority choose to live here.  Falls Church City is also seen as a strong “community” and attracts people who are looking to make connections and be part of something.  It is people who value education and community who choose to live here, and these values permeate the community and, in turn, the school system.
• People Who Choose to Work Here: I’m so thankful for all the people who choose to work for FCCPS! What an incredible group of people who dedicate every day to serving students.  FCCPS parents and leadership have high expectations, which attracts people who are up for the task – ready to fully engage and excited to teach and help the kids of our community. My kids said they were extremely well prepared when they got to college.  I credit this to their teachers who pushed them to ensure they had the skills needed for whatever they chose to do post-FCCPS.  The teachers and staff do their job well.  I remember our first teacher conference with my son’s kindergarten teacher, Peggy Payne.  She said students would be able to read by the end of kindergarten.  My husband Sean was blown away – “Are you really going to teach Jasper to read?!?”   He was struck by the miracle that he could just send our son every day, and he would miraculously learn to read!   And sure enough, Mrs. Payne taught our kids to read.  She got the job done and did it well!  
• Size of the School System: The beauty of a small community and school system is that students can be known and seen.  Sometimes more than they want.  When my oldest son was at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, I remember getting a text from a friend asking who the cute girl he was walking with down Broad Street was. Eyes are everywhere in Falls Church City! Students may not always appreciate that fact, but I believe being known at school and in the broader community helps students feel secure and builds a solid foundation.  Beyond being known, a small system also provides opportunity.  Students can join sports teams and activities even if they’ve never played that sport or done the activity before.  In a world where kids are often pushed to ‘specialize’ in sports or hobbies at an early age, it is refreshing to see opportunities for students to explore new things, even in high school.  One year, when my son was in high school, he wanted to be in the school play, but he also wanted to play lacrosse. He was able to work it out with Mr. Northrip and Mr. Stewart to do the play and be on the JV lacrosse team at the same time. I’m not sure if there is another school in Northern Virginia where that could happen.  The small size of the school system allows students to be known and have great opportunities to participate and explore interests.
• Public School System: In an area where people can send their kids to all kinds of prestigious private schools, a certain type of person chooses a public school system. It speaks to values. Families value the idea of their children going to school with everyone, including people who aren’t exactly like them. Our community includes people from various countries, religions, backgrounds, political persuasions, and other differences. This is what makes our community great.  Parents who send their children to public school generally value this as a strength and hopefully pass those values on to their children.  The beauty of public schools is that they welcome whoever shows up, and they enrich our lives by allowing us to be around people who are different from us.

The other wonderful thing about a public school system, especially a system like FCCPS, is we can truly have neighborhood schools. I think this is a part of what makes FCCPS special. Parents gathering at bus stops every morning and afternoon builds community — parents get to know each other and the kids in the neighborhood and share information about what is happening in the community. This is how you build real connections. We made lasting friendships with our neighbors/bus stop mates. The kids that I got to see every day for years at the bus stop are still important to me.  Some are now in their twenties, and it’s such a treat when they come around. The long and lasting neighborhood relationships matter.

• Idealistic Outlook: I once heard someone say, “Los Angeles attracts people looking for fame, New York attracts those looking for wealth, and DC attracts those looking to change the world.” I think that idea is reflected in the Falls Church City community.  Most people I’ve met here are idealistic and are interested in making the world a better place.  Most people hope that their children will be good citizens and positively impact their lives. I think these ideals also permeate our schools.  Teachers and staff believe in the importance of pouring into these students, setting a good example, and seeing our kids as the hope for our future. I hope that our community, country, and the world can continue to improve, and I think the kids of Falls Church City can be our leaders in that brighter future.  

I reflect on my 17 years here and my experiences with FCCPS as my children have gone through the system, and I am thankful for all the people who have been part of our lives here.   The teachers, staff, friends, and neighbors have made this a special place.  When people ask if we might move away from Falls Church City when the kids are grown, I always say, “I can’t. I’m vested.”  All the kids and people who have been part of the journey, with whom we’ve built relationships, are what matter and keep me here.

It is my greatest hope that the school system can continue to flourish. As a small district, I believe the schools will continue to reflect the community they serve. If we can continue to be a community that values education and community, all with an optimistic outlook, I think FCCPS will thrive. I am hopeful our children will become the people our country needs to lead us toward a bright future.