FCPS backs Edison for Bren Mar Park

Fairfax County Public Schools staff recommended on Monday that Bren Mar Park Elementary School students continue their education at Holmes Middle School and Edison High School. The proposal, labeled Scenario 3B, was presented at the final feeder schools boundary study community meeting held on November 9.

Under this plan, elementary students who reside northwest of Interstate 395 have the option to attend Annandale High School. Families selecting this alternative are responsible for providing their own transportation for the students. The district aims to finalize these boundaries after a scheduled board hearing in January.

The recommendation follows a September presentation where district officials outlined four potential scenarios for the community to review. These options varied in how they assigned students to either Edison or Annandale, or a combination of both institutions.

School Board Member Ricardy Anderson voiced support for the chosen path. "I am in full support of this scenario as I believe it addresses the two most essential concerns raised by the Bren Mar Park community," Anderson said. The member from the Mason district noted that the plan honors local feedback to stay at Edison while offering a self-selection route for specific households.

Anderson added that the scenario avoids creating capacity issues at Annandale High School. It also prevents a split feeder arrangement at the elementary level, a structure present in the other three scenarios considered by the district.

Earlier this year, the district dropped previous proposals that would have routed students to Key Middle School and Lewis High School. Parents opposed those options, citing a lack of advance notice and limited opportunities for discussion before the changes were announced.

School board members will vote on the final boundary decision during a hearing set for next January.