Fairfax County Schools Offer Student Holiday On Super Tuesday

FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools is giving students a day off on Tuesday, March 3 as Virginia holds the Democratic presidential primary election. Staff will report to work for a school planning day.

The school district's calendar was revised in April 2019 with changes related to the presidential primary as well as state legislation allowing schools to start before Labor Day. The Fairfax County School Board opted to move a school planning day from March 13, 2020 to March 3, 2020 so students had off on the presidential primary day.

The calendar for the 2020-2021 school year indicates students will have off for the November general election. Monday, Nov. 2 is a professional development day, while Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Election Day) is a teacher work day.

Other school districts in Northern Virginia with a student holiday on Super Tuesday are Alexandria, Loudoun County, Prince William County and Manassas. Arlington County, Falls Church and Manassas Park school districts do not have a student holiday on March 3.

November elections are slated to be recognized as state holidays after action by the state government. State lawmakers passed a bill to replace January's Lee-Jackson Day with November's Election Day as a state holiday. The legislation goes to Gov. Ralph Northam, who has expressed support for the change.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday for the presidential primary. More information about voting in Fairfax County can be found on the Office of Elections website.