New Classes Coming to Fairfax County Schools

Fairfax County is adding new classes to its middle and high schools. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, students can take courses on artificial intelligence, personal finance, and cybersecurity. The school board approved these changes. Most of the new classes are optional. This means schools can choose to offer them based on student interest. For example, students might take AI Essentials or Artificial Intelligence II. These classes cover how AI works and its impact on society. There will also be an Advanced Placement (AP) Business with Personal Finance class. This will be available at all schools with full AP programs. AP classes let students take an exam at the end of the year. If they pass, they can earn college credit. Another new class is AP Cybersecurity. This course teaches students about digital threats and how to manage risks. There will also be a new chemistry class called Advanced Topics in Chemistry. This is for students who love chemistry but don't want to take an AP course. Geology will also be offered for the first time. While it has been state-approved for years, this is the first time it will be available in Fairfax County schools. The school board is also adding more world language options. These include Arabic, Chinese, American Sign Language, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian, and Vietnamese. These classes aim to prepare students for future careers. Board member Karl Frisch emphasized the importance of fairness. He suggested that students who want to take a class not offered at their school should be able to join virtually. This would ensure that all students have equal access to these courses.