Several Northern Virginia school divisions, including Prince William County and Fairfax County, have shifted to full closures for Monday, February 23, 2026, as a winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to the region.
Key Takeaways
- Date and time: Monday, February 23, 2026; changes effective at the start of the school day, with reevaluations possible early morning.
- Place: Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Stafford County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Spotsylvania County, Fredericksburg, and surrounding areas.
- What happened: Many divisions moved from initial delays to closures or virtual operations due to worsening snow accumulation and road conditions.
- Why it matters: These adjustments ensure safety for students, staff, and families amid hazardous travel in the Fredericksburg and Manassas regions.
- Who drove the news: School superintendents and administrators, responding to National Weather Service forecasts and local assessments.
Full Coverage
Public school systems in Northern Virginia updated their plans late Sunday evening as snow intensified, leading to widespread closures and delays.
Prince William County Public Schools shifted from a two-hour delay to a full closure, designated as Code Red. All schools and offices will be closed, with the change announced to prioritize safety during the storm.
City of Manassas Public Schools remains on a two-hour delay. No pre-kindergarten classes will occur, and AlphaBEST programs start at 8:30 a.m. Officials continue to monitor conditions.
Manassas Park City Public Schools is closed for the day, aligning with heavier impacts in the area.
Stafford County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay. This provides time for road assessments, with updates by 7 a.m. if needed.
Fairfax County Public Schools is fully closed. All schools, offices, extracurricular activities, practices, and field trips are canceled, following an initial delay announcement.
Fauquier County Public Schools will open two hours late. Essential personnel report on time.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools is on a two-hour delay. No morning Early Childhood Special Education preschool classes; afternoon sessions proceed as scheduled.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will open two hours late. 12-month employees report two hours later than usual.
Loudoun County Public Schools, adjacent to Prince William, is closed. All buildings and administrative offices are shut down.
Among higher education institutions, George Mason University will open administrative offices at 10:30 a.m. In-person classes and events before that time are canceled, with a reevaluation by 7 a.m.
Northern Virginia Community College has moved to virtual operations for all campuses. Classes and services continue online only.
Germanna Community College will open all locations at 10 a.m. This delayed opening applies to its campuses in the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania areas.
The University of Mary Washington has no specific announcement for a delay or closure as of late Sunday. Officials are monitoring the weather, but operations appear normal unless updated early Monday.
These updates reflect escalating storm conditions, with some areas expecting 2-4 inches of snow or more, prompting shifts from delays to closures in divisions like Prince William and Fairfax to mitigate risks on untreated roads.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Potomac Local News editors for accuracy and clarity.
