As a direct response to critical workforce shortages in high skill industries, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is proposing many new Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses for the 2026-2027 school year. The recommendations target fields like aviation, cybersecurity, and even barbering. These are sectors in which a lack of qualified applicants has resulted in an immediate hiring need across the nation.

The proposed Air Traffic Controller and Aviation Maintenance Technology courses aim to funnel students into an industry facing a well documented shortage of controllers and technicians.

Similarly, AP Cybersecurity and the Cyber certification courses are designed to prepare students for cybersecurity jobs, which is actively increasing as the world continues to depend on technology. These programs are structured to pipeline from the classroom to the workforce.

While the list of proposed courses is extensive, FCPS officials have confirmed that the division of classes will vary by school based on the available resources, space, and student interest. Most of the new career and specialty courses would be offered as optional courses. 

This means that classes like aviation, barbering, and advanced languages would not be guaranteed at every school. They may be available to neighboring schools and their students as academy classes. It is still unclear which schools would be offering these academy classes since the decision is still pending final approval by the School Board.

Programs like AI and aviation are more likely to be placed in schools with similar specialized pathways and labs.

For South Lakes students, the primary new course that is under consideration is Algebra 1 Lab. This course is designed to provide support for students taking Algebra 1 and aims to increase access to Algebra 1 for 8th graders. It is not eligible as a math graduation requirement but is intended to build mastery and confidence for students.

Don’t be disappointed Seahawks! There is still the chance of the other courses being available as academies courses at Chantilly and Fairfax High Schools. The school board also seems to be trying their best with making sure every interested student has the option to participate in these specialized programs.

School Board member Karl Frisch believes that the county must take into consideration that some interested students may not be able to attend at the designated schools and that the option to attend virtually should be open to them.

Although the full list of potential courses are now available to the public, the final decision still rests on the shoulders of the Fairfax County School Board.