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Place · on the record since 2025 · discussed in 24 transcribed meetings

Katherine Johnson Middle School

Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS) is a public middle school in the City of Fairfax serving grades 6–8 and operating as one of four city schools alongside Fairfax High School, Providence Elementary, and Daniels Run Elementary. 8 separate matters touch this place; each has its own status.

Private Development · Under Review

Courthouse Plaza

in progress

Courthouse Plaza (10300 Willard Way, and later also 3922 Blenheim Boulevard) is a shopping center redevelopment project in the City of Fairfax, pursued by Combined Courthouse, LLC. The project has gone through two distinct application cycles.

approved

The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the city's primary long-range land use and policy document, guiding development, housing, transportation, and related decisions. A five-year review process culminated on October 8, 2024, when City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-30 approving the updated plan dated September 27, 2024.

approved

Daniels Run Elementary School (DRES) is a City of Fairfax public elementary school that is the subject of a major capital renovation project. On April 7, 2025, the School Board approved a reallocation of CIP funds to support completion of a vestibule security project at DRES, contingent on FCPS approval for the City to reimburse FCPS for executing it.

  • Dec 1, 2025School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Student Rep reported on KJMS's annual Career Day with guest speakers and a Fairfax County Police helicopter landing, and noted AAP screening information shared in the November 21 newsletter. Superintendent Wright visited Katherine Johnson Middle School on his first day, thanking principal Smith for hosting, visiting classrooms and talking with students.

    minutesagenda
  • Jan 5, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Highlighted December activities included the City of Fairfax Theatre Company's performances of 'A Backstage Christmas' from December 12–21 and PTA fundraising initiatives. A rising 7th grade curriculum night at KJMS was announced for January 14.

    minutesagenda
  • Mar 2, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] KJMS continued Rising 9th Grade Course Selection activities into February, including a parent coffee on February 9, 2026, and TJHSST Techstravaganza 2026 participation. Dr. Wright visited a leadership class and an 8th grade AVID class at KJMS.

    minutesagenda
  • Apr 6, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report: Miss Abbey Lucas

    [2.02] Katherine Johnson Middle School eighth graders completed course selections for high school, wrapped up MAP testing, and engaged in service projects during National Kindness Month. [2.04] Principal Chris Smith presented the school's State of the Schools report, sharing demographic data, academic outcomes in math and English, support changes, AVID, the Korean Global Classroom project, the unified sports program, and collaborative programs with FHS.

    minutesagenda
approved

The FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a five-year capital spending plan for the City. The review process began in October 2025, when staff briefed the Planning Commission on the upcoming process.

  • Feb 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 6a
    Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2027 to Fiscal Year 2031

    Katherine Johnson school project was specifically named in the CIP resolution language; commissioners discussed the level of explicitness needed for remaining school projects in the resolution.

    passedMotion to adopt Resolution PC-26-01 as shown in Attachment 1, recommending City Council approve the Capital Improvement Program FY2027–FY2031 as proposed, subject to the considerations discussed.
    ✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ McCarthy✓ Rice
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
in progress

The Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center is a joint City of Fairfax and Fairfax County redevelopment project at 3740 and 3750 Blenheim Boulevard, replacing the existing Willard Health Center with a new health, wellness, and recreation facility connected via bridge to the existing Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center.

  • Feb 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 6a
    Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2027 to Fiscal Year 2031

    Katherine Johnson school project was specifically named in the CIP resolution language; commissioners discussed the level of explicitness needed for remaining school projects in the resolution.

    passedMotion to adopt Resolution PC-26-01 as shown in Attachment 1, recommending City Council approve the Capital Improvement Program FY2027–FY2031 as proposed, subject to the considerations discussed.
    ✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ McCarthy✓ Rice
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
in progress

Thaiss Park is a City of Fairfax park undergoing a full redevelopment funded at $7,725,650 via a construction contract awarded to Bright Masonry, Inc. by unanimous City Council vote on October 8, 2024. Construction began in December 2024 with full park closure, utility relocation, and fencing installation.

in progress

The Van Dyck Redevelopment is a municipally tracked parks project that has been funded but has experienced repeated delays tied to sequencing with other major projects. As of November 2024, the project was placed on hold pending the start of Thaiss Park construction.

in progress

Pat Rodio Park is a municipal park undergoing playground relocation and field improvements, funded in part by ARPA funds. The project began taking shape in October 2024 when staff identified the need to find a new playground location.

Other mentions
  • Feb 13, 2025Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 8a
    Stakeholder Updates – Commission on the Arts

    Main Street Community Band 'Music We've Missed' concert scheduled for March 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

    minutesagenda
  • Mar 3, 2025School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report: Siya Batra

    [2.02] Batra reported KJMS after-school programs, a second-place finish in MathCounts advancing to states, a regional Science Olympiad championship advancing to states, and futsal team victories. [2.03] Principal Chris Smith presented the State of the Schools report covering demographics, academic goals in math and English, the AART program, extracurriculars, community spirit, and current facilities updates. Superintendent Platenberg mentioned his visit to KJMS during which he and Rotary Club members distributed copies of the Constitution to 8th grade students. Board member Bartelme mentioned reviewing KJMS student essay contest submissions as the School Board Rotary Club representative, with a winner to be announced soon.

    minutesagenda
  • Sep 15, 2025School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Miss Lucas reported on KJMS opening events including Eagle Fest on August 14, picture days, the Talon Trophy punctuality competition, and a PTA membership drive.

    minutesagenda
  • Nov 3, 2025School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Katherine Johnson Middle School held a Red Ribbon Awareness Open House on October 24 focused on drug-free living and healthy decisions. Ms. Kelsey mentioned that Katherine Johnson Middle School has a play performance on the 14th and 15th.

    minutesagenda
  • Feb 9, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Rising 9th-grade families attended Curriculum Night at Fairfax High School on January 12, and students participated in MAP Winter Testing January 8–13. Dr. Wright attended the rising 7th grade curriculum night and served as a judge at the debate competition at Katherine Johnson Middle School.

    minutesagenda
  • May 4, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Students at Katherine Johnson Middle School were reported to be completing SOL testing, finishing clubs and extracurriculars, and receiving counseling support for transitions. [2.03] Katherine Johnson Middle School students delivered the city redevelopment presentation to the School Board covering Northfax and Courthouse Plaza.

    minutesagenda
  • Jun 1, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Katherine Johnson Middle School's May activities were reported on, including SOL testing, spring music concerts, and eighth-grade transition preparations.

    minutesagenda
  • Sep 14, 2026School Board · item 2.02
    Student Representative Report

    [2.02] Student Rep Murray reported that Katherine Johnson Middle School hosted RISE orientation and Eagle Fest along with a pre-season ice cream social for incoming students. Ms. Cecere noted she heard about the Ready to Launch program at KJMS during her first-day school visits.

    minutesagenda

In full

It houses the AVID program, a Korean Global Classroom project, a unified sports program, and after-school programs, and uses an interdisciplinary teams model. The school has been active in civic engagement, with students presenting urban planning proposals for Northfax and Courthouse Plaza to the Planning Commission in March 2026 and to City Council on June 2, 2026. KJMS is also the subject of several capital improvement planning efforts: as of March 2025, a field renovation was in the planning phases under Parks and Recreation, and the Katherine Johnson school project was specifically named in the Planning Commission's recommended CIP FY2027–FY2031 resolution (adopted 5-0 in February 2026).

By October 2026, proposed CIP investments under consideration included a turf field, auditorium upgrades (projection systems, screens, carpet, and painting), and HVAC units. The school also hosts a new school resource officer, Officer Cox, as of the 2026–27 school year, and received CPR training for over 1,450 students in partnership with Gwyneth's Gift Foundation in 2026.