It’s back-to-school season already, and many NoVA families will notice some significant changes. Many will come in the form of new cellphone policies, sparked by legislation from Gov. Glenn Youngkin that pushes for bell-to-bell cellphone bans. Here’s what to know about the 2025–2026 academic year.
Arlington County
More schools in Arlington County will fully implement cellphone storage pouches during the school day. These include Arlington Career Center, H-B-Woodlawn, Wakefield, Washington-Liberty, and Yorktown high schools. Middle schools will not use the pouches.
Abingdon Elementary and Hoffman-Boston Elementary no longer qualify as Title I schools, ARLNow reported. Arlington Traditional School was added to the list.
Arlington Public Schools has also chosen SchoolAI as its primary artificial intelligence tool, ARLNow reported. This decision follows a pilot program from last year that involved about 400 educators.
Fairfax County
In Fairfax County, there will now be weapons detectors permanently in place at middle and high schools.
Cellphones are no longer permitted to be used as instructional tools. In high schools, cellphones and personal devices must be turned off during the entire day, including passing periods. Lunch times are the only exception. Elementary and middle school phone policies have not changed.
Elementary students will have early release days on Wednesdays instead of Mondays.
Buses will have new safety and routing systems in the form of tablets that include real-time navigation, Radio Frequency Identification check-ins for students, and live bus tracking for families.
There are new grading policies in effect for middle and high school students in the 2025-2026 school year.
Plus, the Fairfax County Police Department is continuing to expand its speed camera programs in school zones. Check out the list of speed cameras that are active, in progress, and coming soon. And, drivers caught passing a stopped FCPS school bus could face a $250 fine.
Falls Church
Falls Church City Public Schools have a new superintendent: Terry J. Dade. Dade will succeed former superintendent Peter Noonan, who retired after eight years in the role.
Loudoun County
Loudoun County Public Schools will start using an AI program called Volt AI to help review security footage. The new program aims to identify fights, bullying, weapons, and medical emergencies.
It will also require clear bags at varsity football events, WTOP reported, and there are plans to implement metal detectors at some sporting events.
There are four new Think Big Corners, STEAM-focused resources that the district launched with the support of Amazon Web Services and the Loudoun Education Foundation.
Plus, the Access Academy is now at Potomac Falls High School. In partnership with George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, it offers dual enrollment credits for students pursuing tech careers.
Prince William County
Prince William County Public Schools has a new “cellphone–free education policy” that takes effect this year. Cellphones and other electronics must be turned off and put away during the whole day. Smart watches are allowed but must be in airplane mode.
It will also unveil a new bus tracking app, EZ A2B, that it says will “improve reliability and routing efficiency.”
Fauquier County
Fauquier County Public Schools will also roll out a stricter cellphone policy, Fauquier Now reported. Students must keep cellphones and smart watches put away during the whole school day, including during passing periods and lunch.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
