Skyview High School cut its ribbon Thursday, Aug. 20, with helicopters overhead and more than 700 students who volunteered to attend in its inaugural year. For Reston families, the celebration marks the beginning of a transition that will pull 384 South Lakes High School students into the new school's attendance zone starting in the 2027-28 school year.

The grand opening at 2949 Education Drive in the Floris area south of Herndon — a former private school campus FCPS purchased for $150 million — featured helicopters from the D.C. Army National Guard and the Fairfax County Police Department lifting off as the program began, according to FCPS. The school's marching band and choir performed Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars." A brief rain shower didn't stop the crowd.

Principal Dave Jagels, School Board Chair Robyn Lady and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid all spoke. Before the ribbon was cut, students and families signed it as a keepsake, and attendees wrote messages for a time capsule.

Ninth-grader Paul told the crowd he was excited about aerospace classes and drone training at the school, whose teams will be called the Aviators.

What it means for South Lakes families

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved Skyview's attendance boundaries at its July 16 meeting, a decision that will reassign 2,544 students countywide. Of those, 384 come from South Lakes, 1,062 from Westfield and 333 from Chantilly, FFXnow reported.

For the 2026-27 inaugural year, Skyview is open only to 9th and 10th graders who volunteered. The mandatory boundary kicks in for 2027-28, though rising ninth graders that year will have a one-year opt-out window to stay at South Lakes. By 2028-29, no opt-out will be available, and FCPS projects Skyview will enroll about 1,606 students across all four grades.

Hunter Mill District School Board member Melanie Meren, who represents Reston and the South Lakes pyramid, addressed the reassignment in a July 24 Fairfax Times report: "We purchased a school, and the students have to come from somewhere. These are the places that for a number of reasons make the most sense." In the same report, Meren said the board will work to ensure enrollment declines do not diminish academic programming or extracurricular opportunities at South Lakes and Westfield.

The board has directed Superintendent Reid to present a plan by October for a specialized business, IT and skilled-trades pathway at Westfield to offset enrollment losses there.

FCPS classes begin Monday, Aug. 24. Skyview is still pursuing Virginia High School League membership before fielding varsity athletics and is expected to compete in the Concorde District.