Fairfax Villa Elementary School opened on August 30, 1965. Our school originally had 20 classrooms and was designed by the architecture firm of Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern of Roanoke, Virginia. Fairfax Villa was built in 1964-65 by the Wayne Construction Company at a cost of $552,489.

Stories from Fairfax Villa

Fairfax Villa has always been the epitome of a small neighborhood school. Its enrollment has grown over the years, but it remains a place where staff and students know one another and have a strong sense of community and family. It has always had diverse students and programs that foster acceptance and teamwork. Students consistently perform well academically and are regarded as leaders in their community. Teachers and staff work cooperatively to ensure that every child is prepared academically, emotionally and socially for their futures." ~Tanya Black

The little school with a big heart is how I was introduced to the Villa back in the 90’s and now, 20 years later, we are a bigger school and yet still maintain a big heart! The Villa community is one which has always embraced the school and our many traditions from Diffendoofer Day to the 6th Grade Musical which still takes place today. Working hard, expecting excellence, and creating well rounded fun loving students is what the Villa is all about." ~Melissa Eddy

When I started working at Fairfax Villa we only had 325 students. We were ‘the best kept secret in Fairfax County.’ We were a tiny school with a big heart. We were a family. I have only fond memories of my 18 years here at the Villa. Fairfax Villa has always been a great school with a caring staff and a loving community." ~Robin Mims

Fairfax Villa is a one of a kind school. There is no other place I would rather be! Everyone that is a part of the Villa Family knows that someone always has your back through good times and bad. I feel lucky to be a teacher at Fairfax Villa Elementary." ~Colleen Nelms

The Robert L. Glynn, Jr., Gymnasium

On October 11, 2007, the Fairfax County School Board officially named Fairfax Villa Elementary School’s gymnasium in honor of Robert (Bob) Glynn. Bob Glynn served Fairfax Villa students, staff members, parents, and community members with distinction for 36 years as our school’s physical education teacher until his retirement in 2006. He always promoted a caring, respectful, and harmonious learning community in which all students had the opportunity to be successful, responsible citizens in a setting that included extremely high social and academic expectations. Additionally, Bob Glynn created a greater awareness of and diligently shared the importance of health, nutrition, and physical exercise in a safe learning environment that promoted cooperation, teamwork, diversity, and individual differences. He led student-centered community activities, such as Jump Rope for Heart, and student-centered programs, such as the Safety Patrol program. Bob Glynn enriched the Fairfax Villa community by sharing his wisdom and serving as an outstanding role model, and we are proud to have our gymnasium named in remembrance of him.

The Kathy Garland Award

As a special education teacher Kathy Garland was a tireless advocate for students and worked with all grade levels at Fairfax Villa. She believed in inclusion and worked with administration and staff to establish support for all students in the environment that was best for their learning.  She had high standards for all students and gave them the skills and confidence to achieve. On a FCPS snow day in February of her final year before retirement, she slipped, fell at home and died from her injuries. A yearly award was established that year in her name that acknowledges a special education student who epitomizes Ms. Garland’s legacy of hard work and achievement while overcoming obstacles and adversity. Every year on the last day of school, the last award announced during the awards assembly is The Believe and Achieve Award given to a 6^th grade student who possesses the traits that inspire others to never be held down by a hardship or label.  The name of the recipient is a secret to everyone, including the staff, student and the student’s family.  Past recipients have returned to Fairfax Villa to tell us that receiving the award inspired them and pushed them to academic achievement they once did not believe they could aspire to but did. 

Traditions

6^th Grade Showcase

One long-standing tradition at Fairfax Villa Elementary School is our annual sixth grade showcase. Held each spring, the showcase highlights the talents of the sixth grade class and celebrates the culmination of their education at Fairfax Villa. The showcase began as a sixth grade talent show, and in the 1990s transitioned into an annual musical theatre performance. The photographs below are from the 2018 showcase, where sixth graders performed the musical Willy Wonka, Jr.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day

One long-standing former tradition at Fairfax Villa Elementary School was Hooray for Diffendoofer Day. Hooray for Diffendoofer Day (based on the book by Dr. Seuss) was created to celebrate the school’s total academic performance on standardized tests. Student excitement translated into high performance and commitment to academics. The students were rewarded each September by a ‘Parade of Hats’ through the halls of the school and a dramatization of the story by teachers and other staff members. The students’ hats were adorned with feathers, flowers, colorful strings, cotton balls, bells, stuffed animals, and balloons.

What's in a Name?

Learn about the origin of our school's name in this video produced for Fairfax County Public Schools’ cable television channel Red Apple 21.

Our Principals