Make sure that your kid is prepared for the year ahead by staying informed on these policy changes for the 2026-27 school year.

The back-to-school season is all about change — and the same goes for school district policies. So as the 2026-27 school year approaches, make sure that you're in the loop on all the latest policy changes across the DMV.

Here's your guide to all the policy shifts that public schools across DC, Maryland and Virginia will be seeing this fall.

Washington, DC

DCPS swing space locations

This coming school year, 10 DCPS schools are undergoing a modernization, meaning that they will be located in temporary swing space locations. The following elementary schools will be affected: Brent, Burroughs, Burrville, Chisholm, Drew, King, Ketcham and Ketcham CDC, Seaton and Whittier. Click here to view the addresses of the temporary locations.

DCPS completed modernizations

The modernizations of four elementary schools have been completed, and they will return to their permanent locations this year. Those elementary schools are: J.O. Wilson, Malcolm X at Green, Thomas and Tubman. Click here to view the list of permanent addresses.

Maryland

Phone-free policy in Washington County

New Maryland legislation requires that county boards of education develop policies banning phones in their public schools by the 2027-28 school year. Baltimore City, Harford County and Howard County school boards are already enforcing phone bans.

This upcoming school year, Washington County is now implementing its bell-to-bell phone-free policy. Students will be required to store their personal devices at the first bell, and they will be allowed to retrieve them after dismissal. Students will not be allowed to use their devices during lunchtime, breaks or passing periods.

Statewide K-12 mathematics policy

The Maryland State Department of Education recently designed a new mathematics policy aimed at strengthening growth in the subject earlier on in children's development while supporting their mathematical learning until college.

The 2025-26 school year was spent preparing for the implementation of this policy, and now in the 2026-27 school year, the policy will come into full force as new preK through grade eight math standards will be implemented and a Multi-Tiered System of Support will be introduced. Read more about the initiative here.

Virginia

Statewide phone-free policy

As of July 1, 2026, cell phones are prohibited at all public schools across Virginia, due to new legislation. Personal devices must be put away from bell-to-bell and cannot be accessed during lunchtime.

New standard calendar in Fairfax County

The Fairfax County School Board recently voted to standardize the annual school calendar to create a regular guideline for future school years. The policy states that summer break must begin before Juneteenth and end no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day. The calendar mandates that winter breaks will be two weeks long and spring breaks will be one week long.

Boundary changes in Fairfax County

Fairfax County Public Schools will be implementing new boundary changes this school year. However, current students are not required to move schools to align with the new boundaries. Transportation routes may change for the new zoning. Read more about the new boundaries and determine your school assignment here.

Updated dress code in Loudoun County

Loudoun County has introduced a new dress code for the 2026-27 school year. The amendments include requirements for shorts to be longer and shirts to have more coverage around the waist and neck. A motion was proposed to prohibit pajamas, slippers and hats, but it was denied.