The 2025-26 school year is approaching and that means upcoming changes will be taking effect in August, as early as day one. Even if your kid isn’t switching to a new school and is simply moving up one grade within the same school, there may be new rules and regulations on the horizon.
Here are the pertinent changes beginning this fall for public schools in DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Cellphone Policy
Starting fall 2025, DC public school students (Pre-K through grade 12) must have phones turned off and stored away during the school day. This district-wide policy is specifically targeting cell phone use which has contributed to declines in academic performance by serving as a means of distraction.
Your child probably shouldn’t have been texting you during the school day regardless, but if they do during the upcoming school year, they’re at risk of having it confiscated.
A New Parent Portal
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Transportation (OSSE-DOT) recently rolled out a new digital tool for parents whose kids ride public school buses. Parents will be able to sign up and take advantage of this new feature for the upcoming school year.
Previously, parents had to get the transportation information through their child’s school and the process of coordination was less intuitive. Now parents can easily set and update pick-up and drop-off details. There will also be the option to select OSSE transport, a $400 stipend for self-transporting. You can make an account with the OSSE Parent Portal here.
Swing Space Locations
Seven DCPS elementary schools are being temporarily relocated for the 2025/26 school year. The affected elementary schools are Brent, Burroughs, JO Wilson, King, Malcolm X, Thomas and Tubman. Click here to view the temporary location addresses.
Revised Grading and Reporting in Montgomery County
MCPS is making a number of changes:
- Students grade 6-12 will now have their final grades calculated differently. They will now be based on the average of numeric grades from each marking period.
- Marking periods 2 and 4 will now feature districtwide summative assessments for specific subjects.
- Reassessment opportunities: Students will now have at least two reassessment opportunities in secondary courses. Certain assessments, like end-of-course, or final papers/essays do not apply.
- Teachers will not assign a grade lower than 50% provided the student shows evidence of making progress on the relevant standards being assessed, regardless of actual accuracy.
Parents can sign up for ParentVUE to stay updated on their child’s grades. For more info on the revisions, click here.
Loudoun County Policy Updates
LCPS also has changes that will take effect with the 2025-26 school year:
- Homework and formative assessments will now be weighted at no more than 10% of a quarter grade.
- Students will only be able to retake a major summative assessment after they’ve submitted all other assignments and assessments, completed with reasonable effort.
- Updated definitions to key terms to ensure consistency for students, parents and staff.
For more info, click here.
Alexandria City Public Schools Adjusts Academic Calendar
ACPS is extending the 2025-26 school calendar, making for a total of 180 instructional days. They are also implementing greater flexibility for weather-related closures. Additionally, the calendar policy has been updated so that it is easier to understand specific requirements, make-up days and other information.
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Seth Hagler is a freelance writer and an intern with Washington Parent. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Seth Hagler is a freelance writer and an intern with Washington Parent. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
