The Fairfax County School Board approved new school calendars in mid-February — the first time an FCPS calendar has been approved for three full years.

The first day of the new school calendar for 2023-2024 begins on August 21 and ends on June 12. There will be 180 full days of instruction and 15 teacher work days. Students and staff will have two weeks of winter break and a spring break aligned with surrounding school divisions.

Student holidays are also increasing, providing more recognition for cultural observances and religious holidays. Going from 32-35 student holidays in 2019-20 and 2020-21, student holidays are now around 39 days per school year.

Students in seventh to 11^th grade were provided with a survey where they could share their opinion. The calendar was created using input from more than 70,000 FCPS community members.