Fairfax County Public Schools plans to install a quantum computer at Skyview High School by December, with student access starting in spring 2027.

FCPS described the machine as the world's first operational quantum computer in a K-12 school. The district announced the partnership Thursday, Sept. 24, with nonprofit Connected DMV and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).

The initiative matters for Vienna-area families. Oakton High School students were allowed to opt into Skyview attendance for the 2026-2027 school year, though Oakton's boundary lines remain unchanged after the school board's July 16 vote, FFXnow reported. Broader boundary changes drawing students from Westfield, Chantilly and South Lakes are set to take partial effect in 2027-2028, affecting approximately 2,544 students.

Skyview opened Aug. 25 in the Floris area south of Herndon as the district's first new high school in two decades. The campus already features specialized spaces for aerospace, technology and robotics.

The quantum computer is an XQ1e model built by XeedQ, about the size of a small refrigerator. XeedQ announced the deployment at Quantum World Congress 2026 in College Park, Maryland, calling it the start of the company's U.S. operations.

"Our responsibility is to prepare our students for their future and not our past," FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid said. "… This initiative creates meaningful and authentic learning experiences that connect our students' unique passions and talents with industry leaders, educators, and community partners."

The program will start as a quantum computing pathway. Students will explore fundamental quantum concepts, test optimization problems and compare how a quantum computer tackles a task versus a traditional machine. FCPS said the pathway may grow into a credit-bearing course with dual-enrollment opportunities and industry-recognized credentials.

FCEDA President and CEO George D. Thomas said the initiative ties into the region's broader quantum ambitions. Days before the Skyview announcement, George Mason University unveiled a Virginia Quantum Hub backed by a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant, with Connected DMV as a founding partner, Patch reported.

No source has specified who is paying for the quantum computer or whether grant funding is involved. FCPS has not said which grade levels will have access or whether opt-in students from other pyramids are eligible.

The installation is expected in December, with student programming to follow in spring 2027.