Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) shifted its 2026-27 Eid al-Fitr schedule, moving the full student and staff holiday one day earlier to Tuesday, March 9, 2027.

The change, announced in the district's Sept. 30 weekly update, creates a three-day window around the holiday that will affect scheduling at every FCPS school, including James Madison High School, Oakton High School and Thoreau Middle School in the Vienna area.

Here is the revised schedule:

• Monday, March 8: Evening-only observance. School will be in session, but no major after-school events, tryouts or auditions will take place.
• Tuesday, March 9: Full holiday. No school for students or staff.
• Wednesday, March 10: Observance day. School will be in session, but teachers cannot schedule major tests, field trips or mandatory events.

Under the original calendar published in August, March 9 had been listed as an evening-only observance and March 10 as the holiday. The revision effectively moves everything one day earlier and adds a third day of scheduling restrictions.

The district's weekly update did not include a reason for the shift. FCPS noted that holidays tied to lunar calendars may move again closer to March 2027 based on anticipated moon sightings.

The district's observance policy bars schools from scheduling tests, quizzes, field trips, assemblies, sporting events and safety drills on full observance days. State and national exams, including the SAT, SOL, AP/IB and VHSL competitions, are not covered by the restriction.

On evening-only observance days such as March 8, the limits apply after school hours. No tryouts, recruiting events, professional development sessions or community town halls may be held that evening.

Spring break follows about two weeks later, running March 22 through March 26.

Patch reporter Michelle Witte first reported the revision on Sept. 30. An updated school year calendar reflecting the change is posted on the FCPS website.