ACE has a variety of classes that meet 100% of the time in-person within Fairfax County or are held 100% of the time online, so you could take a class from your home provided you have access to the internet.  We also offer blended or hybrid classes, which are a combination of online sessions and in-person sessions within the same class.    For any class with an online component, either those classes that meet 100% online or those that meet only some of the time online, a link to access the class will be provided.

ACE also offers self-paced online classes that are held 100% online, and do not have a set start and end day or time of day.  For these classes, you will receive an email within 2-4 business days after you register that will provide access to the course content.  The link provided in the email grants access to the class content allowing you to study at your own pace.  The link for these self-paced classes expire after a specific period, which is typically 2-6 months after initially receiving the link.

Yes, classes for kids and teens, such as Driver Education Classes, SAT/ACT Preparation Classes, and summer enrichment camps are available for students under the age of 18.  Registration for these classes is available online.

Please note that these registrations require that the parent/guardian provide a completed emergency contact form to be held onsite for any in-person classes.

Most of our programs are designed for adults, 18 years and older, unless otherwise specified.  In some instances, exceptions may be approved.  Please email educationalcounseling@fcps.edu for information about an underage waiver.  Requests require two weeks advance notice.

Yes.  ACE is committed to non-discrimination in our programs, services, and activities.  Please contact the Student Services office at least two weeks in advance.  Please read more about accommodations for students  ACE will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodations; however, failure to request an accommodation within the specified time frame may limit our ability to fulfill this request.

Summer Learning has alternative options to support ADA accommodations.  Please send an email with your request to SummerLearning@fcps.edu

We migrated to a new registration system in 2024.  You will be able to see any classes in which you registered in this new online system.  For class history in our old system, you will need to contact our Registration office at 703-658-1201, Monday-Friday from 9am-noon and 1pm-5pm.

No, not at this time.  We encourage you to register online.

ACE is continuously looking to hire ACE instructors. Visit our Teach for FCPS ACE page to learn more about these opportunities. ACE also, from time to time, looks to hire office staff or building coordinators. These are posted in FCPS's Operational Job Openings or Other Career Opportunities for more details. If you do not see an opportunity, check back again later as new opportunities are posted periodically.

Parents or guardians who know that their child will be late for, or miss, a class need to notify FCPS ACE in advance by emailing elementaryenrichment@fcps.edu Parents or guardians who need to pick up their child before the end of the scheduled class need to email elementaryenrichment@fcps.edu

Students who are at least 12 years old may be permitted to sign themselves in and out of an FCPS ACE K-12 class. To do this, the registering adult must notify FCPS ACE in writing that they want their student to have this ability. Without this written documentation, students will not be allowed to sign themselves into and out of class without an adult present. Notification can be emailed to elementaryenrichment@fcps.edu

Non-FCPS students registering for K-12 enrichment classes must submit additional documentation along with their completed registration form and payment. Please see FCPS Student Registration for required documentation and additional information on this requirement.  Please note that FCPS summer learning classes are restricted to FCPS students only.

There are two types of Online Anytime classes. For both of these types of classes, you will receive a link to the class within 1 to 4 business days after you register. You will need regular access to a computer with speakers and internet connection for these classes.

No. To register online or over the phone, you will need to use a credit or debit card to pay for the class.  Registrations online or over the phone require payment in full at the time of the registration. 

To take advantage of online registration, you must pay with a Visa or MasterCard. You can also enroll in a class in person at our Registration Office by appointment only.  When registering in person, payment can be done by check, credit/debit card, or money order. We do not accept cash. 

No. Unless you formally withdraw from a class, you are required to pay for the full price for the class regardless of any missed sessions.

For classes that cost in excess of $1,000 and that take place over a period of at least 3 months, payment plans MAY be available.  Students must comply with specific financial criteria to qualify.  For specific information about this please email educationalcounseling@fcps.edu

Possibly.  If you are interested in an apprenticeship class, we have a limited amount of partial scholarships available. You can email our educational counselor to learn more. 

Discounts may be available for class FCPS ACE tuition, with some class restrictions. Please note these following requirements and restrictions:

Any discounts will be determined at time of registration and a discount code will be provided to you to use when you register online.

No. All materials are included in the cost of the class and will be sent upon confirmation of payment.

If a class is canceled, there is no action needed on your part to request a refund.  The refund will take 4-6 weeks for processing. If your tuition was paid using a credit/debit card, we will attempt to reimburse the same card.  If there is an issue with the credit card transaction, or if your tuition was paid by check, then a check will be mailed to the address we have listed in our system.

If the class was not canceled, there are time limits in which a withdrawal and refund will be approved.  For specifics on these time limits please visit our Adult and Community Education (ACE) Refund Process Page for details.  If approved, the refund may take 1-6 weeks for processing.  If your tuition was paid using a credit card, we will attempt to reimburse the same card.  If there is an issue with the credit card transaction, or if your tuition was paid by check, then a check will be mailed to the address we have listed in our system.

No. Only one discount can be used when purchasing a class. With some classes, no discounts are permitted. If discounts are not permitted for a class, there will be a statement that indicates that no discounts are permitted.

Online:  You can register online, 24/7, at our website FCPSACE.ORG

By Phone: Call the Registration Office at 703-658-1201, Monday-Friday from 9am-Noon and 1pm-5pm, to speak with a member of our Registration team.

Any adult over the age 18 may attend most ACE classes.  You do not need to be a resident of Fairfax County and no additional fees are collected for out-of-county students. Parents can enroll their children in ACE K12 classes.  These children do not need to be enrolled at an FCPS school to attend one of our K12 classes.

Partners-for-Safe-Teen-Driving is for students from Fairfax County and other counties.

Behind-the-Wheel classes held during the school year are limited to FCPS students.  Behind-the-Wheel classes held during the summer are open to any eligible student.  Students need to have their learner’s permit and their classroom course completion card (pink card) to be eligible to enroll.

DMV Learner’s Permit Tests are limited to students who are residents of Fairfax County only.

Adult Learner’s Permit Testing are for adults over the age of 18.

Classroom instruction is open to any Fairfax County residents, age 18 and under.

In some instances, we permit enrollments up to the day that a class starts.  Registrations after the start of class are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you registered on the day of the class, for classes meeting in-person, you must bring your registration confirmation to class.  Instructors are not authorized to accept registrations in class.  Attendance is NOT allowed without prior registration.  For same-day registration of online classes, there may be a delay in receiving the link in time to attend the first session of class.  Self-paced classes have no predefined start date.  For these classes you will receive a specialized link several business days after you register.

Individuals registering online receive a registration confirmation immediately. Individuals choosing other registration methods will not receive confirmation unless specifically requested.  If you have registered and have not received a receipt in your email, please check your SPAM or Junk Folders.

This is generally not permitted.  However, in some instances you may be able to register for a class after the start date. This requires special permission from the staff Specialist responsible for the class.  To request this, select the Contact Us tab and send your request in an email.  Make sure to provide complete details, including the name of the class, and your contact information.  The Specialist will receive your request and reach out to you about your request.

Some classes require registrations earlier.  In these instances, registrations will be closed and will not enable registrations on the same day as the start of the class. If you are registering for a class that permits registration on the first day of a class, please use the online registration system to enroll in the class. To check on the availability of space and the status of the class, call our Registration Office at 703-658-1201, Monday-Friday, during the hours of 9am-Noon, and 1PM-5PM. You may not register with the instructor on the first night or day of class.

It means that you have an outstanding bill associated with a prior or current ACE class.  You will not be able to register for additional ACE classes and will not be able to take any test (if applicable), provided certificates of completion or course transcripts while on restricted financial status.  This restriction on testing and certificates of completion or course transcripts does NOT apply to Summer Learning or FCPS Academic School Year classes.

This is generally not permitted.  However, in some instances you may be able to register for a class after the start date. This requires special permission from the staff Specialist responsible for the class. To request this, select the Contact Us tab and send in an email.  Make sure to provide complete details, including the name of the class, and your contact information.  The Specialist will receive your request and reach out to you about your request.  Alternatively, for Adult and Community classes, you may call the ACE Switchboard at 703-658-2727 to speak to the Specialist for the program associated with the class.

Several options are available:

An email registration receipt is sent to the student’s email address on file.  If you want a separate notification, please include that with your enrollment request.

The contractual agreement to pay is between ACE and you, the agency; and as such, the agency is responsible to pay 100% of the contracted payment amount in instances where your client is not formally withdrawn from the class.  Please refer to our withdrawal and reimbursement policies for more specifics.

In addition to the classes we offer to the general public, ACE can create a customized class specifically designed for your office or company.  These include classes for trades & industry, health & medical, as well as business & computer or language.  When doing so, these classes are closed to the public so only your people will attend.  Agencies and companies interested in this should email business@fcps.edu and a staff member will reach out to you to discuss your training needs.

The contractual agreement to pay is between ACE and you, the employer; and as such, the employer is responsible to pay 100% of the contracted payment amount.  The employer should check their own human resources policies and procedures about requirements for continued employment and paying back training costs.

If your employee leaves your employment before the class starts, you can either exchange the employee you were intending to send to the class with another employee or you can cancel the registration without penalty.  Please send an email to acerefundrequest@fcps.eduidentifying the class, the person enrolled currently in that class, and specifics about what you want to do (withdraw or change who is going to attend the class).  Please refer to our withdrawal and reimbursement policies for more specifics.

Yes.  Students must be formally unenrolled in a class to avoid the financial obligation to pay.  Please see our Withdrawal/Transfer/Refund Policy for specifics.

Yes, this can be done, and registrations are processed immediately.  Online registrations require a credit/debit card at the time of registration.  Setting up an account is easy to do, saving time and effort to ensure that you get your people directly into the classes you want. Once you set up the online account (via the Sign In/Create Account tab),and have identified the class you want, select “Add Student”, complete the online form, and then you can register your people for the class(es) of your choosing, pay by company credit card, and get instant proof of registration.

FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

FERPA requires any adult student to sign a release before FCPS ACE can share your ACE class records of attendance or grades with a third party. This requirement is placed on FCPS ACE regardless of the student’s US citizenship status. An example of a third party would be:

If you wish to have FCPS ACE share your FCPS ACE grades and progress with anybody other than you directly we must have written authorization to do so. You must complete a FERPA Form and email it to aceonline@fcps.edu.

If a textbook is listed for a class, in most cases you will need to purchase the book yourself.

ACE will provide the ISBN number for the book you need to purchase.  If purchasing the textbook on your own, our course description may provide specific directions such as a specific publisher, as well as various retailers such as Amazon.  In these instances, it will be up to you to decide where you should purchase the book.

First, you should register in advance for the class.  For self-paced classes, a link will be emailed to the email address we have on file for you 2- 4 business days after your registration date.  For classes that are not self-paced, there will be a specific start date and time for the class.  Prior to this date, a link will be emailed to the email address we have on file for you between 1-2 business days prior to the date of the class.  Typically for classes with a blended meeting pattern (i.e., some sessions in person and some sessions online), the class will typically meet for the first session in-person.  During this initial session, the ACE instructor will go over the specifics about the link to access the online portion of the class.

Second, you need to have access to a computer with a computer camera and microphone and the internet.  

Third, the computer you use should have Windows 10 or higher, or Mac OS X v 10.9 operating system.  We recommend that the computer screen have a resolution of 1280 x 720 or higher (1920 x 1080 pixels recommended).  We also recommend that your internet browser be Chrome (latest versions), Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.  Finally, we recommend that the computer you use has a minimum of 8 GB RAM, a computer camera and microphone.  If joining a class when using a tablet, be sure to download the free Google Meet app before class.

After registration, but before the class actually starts, a link will be emailed to you using the email account we have for you on file.  If you do not receive the link, first check your SPAM.  For Adult and Community classes, if you have not received the email, call the ACE Switchboard at 703-658-2727 to be connected to the staff Specialist responsible for this class so that they can have it resent to you.  If you are sent to voicemail, please leave a detailed message with your contact information.  Alternatively, you can go to Contact Us select the button for the program associated with your class; and send a detailed email.  Either way, staff will follow up with you to ensure that you receive your class link.

For an Online Anytime class, you will receive a link to the class content and you will be able to log into the class 24/7 while the link is active. 

For an Online Scheduled class, you will receive a link to the class for a specific time and date (in the same way that an in-person class meets at a defined date and time).

Yes.  Please register early for computer classes as the number of students in an in-person class is limited to the number of computers in the classroom.  Computer classes held online will require the student to have access to a computer and the internet to attend the class.

Please go to our Contact Us page, select the button associated with the type of class in which you want information, and send an email requesting specifics on the class you are interested in taking. You will receive a response within 2 business days.

All ACE instructors are subject matter experts in the subject they are teaching and have worked in their field for many years.  For specific questions about a specific instructor, please go to our Contact Us page, select the button associated with the type of class in which you want information; and send an email. You will receive a response within 2 business days.  Summer Learning instructors are all FCPS teachers.

ACE has several different certificate programs.  Many are online and self-paced. Please review our courses and email any specific questions. 

Quarterly grade reports and classroom hours attended will be sent to the address and/or email address on file within 2 weeks of the last day of class. Instructors will provide interim reports upon request.

Many of our ACE career and enrichment classes require a specific level of English proficiency.  Requirements may differ by individual program.  To speak with someone about the specific language requirements for the ACE class you want to take, such as Apprenticeship, Trades/Industry, Health/Medical, Business/Computer, Driver Education, or K12 Enrichment programming and Test Prep, please call the ACE Switchboard at 703-658-2727 and ask to speak to the Program Specialist assigned to the program associated with the class you are interested in.

Adult ESOL offers classes at a range of beginning to advanced proficiency levels, and new students are required to complete an intake process to determine the appropriate starting level class.  To speak with someone about these different proficiency levels, please call the Adult ESOL office at 703-658-2777, or go to the Contact Us page; and send an email to the Adult ESOL program.

BLS (HM01697) is recommended for Healthcare providers, i.e., nurses, doctors, pharmacists, phlebotomists, dental assistants, etc.

Heartsaver CPR AED, with or without First Aid (HM01625 or HM01695), is recommended for medical administrative/clerical employees, community members including personal trainers, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders, babysitters, etc.

Private classes are available.  Please email healthmed@fcps.edufor details.

Your experience with a language determines the best class for you. Adult ESOL classes require a formal placement assessment prior to being enrolled in an Adult ESOL class.  Please contact the Adult ESOL office at adultesol@fcps.edufor information on placement assessment.

View detailed descriptions of our Adult ESOL program and offerings. Alternatively, go to the Contact Us page and send an email to the Adult ESOL program.

The course description gives the prerequisites for each level of multi-level courses.  If you are not sure if your background matches the prerequisites, contact the staff Specialist responsible for that program via the Contact Us page.

Alternatively, if you want an Adult and Community class, you may call the ACE Switchboard at 703-658-2727 to be connected to the staff Specialist responsible for the type of class you have a question about.  If you are sent to voicemail, please leave a detailed message with your contact information.

Yes.  Please bring the following to the first behind-the-wheel class:

Email us; you will receive a response within 2 business days. You can also call us at 703-658-2727 and ask to speak to an ACE Leader.

Students must attend courses to be in compliance with VA DOLI-related technical instruction regulations.  Learn more.

Yes.  An individual who completes a full program receives a Fairfax County Public Schools final transcript that is suitable to use in applying for licensure.  Completion certificates are available for a fee from ACE.  Records are kept for several years and can be applied toward apprenticeship completion.  Should you become a registered apprentice in the future, any classes taken within five years can be applied to your official apprenticeship.

A Registered Apprentice entails completing a full program of related instruction and documented on-the-job training and receiving a nationally recognized State Apprenticeship Certificate.  In order to get this certificate, the student’s employer needs to register the apprentice with the state.  ACE does not require students to be registered with the state, and also has no part in issuing Apprenticeship Action Forms.  For more information on Apprenticeship Action Forms, please email tradesmen@dpor.virginia.gov   Please contact DPOR with any questions related to Registered Apprenticeship or Action Forms.

Students should strive to attend all scheduled classes.  Unavoidable absences should be made up as soon as possible, even though the maximum absences allowed has not been exceeded. To make up for hours and classwork missed, the apprentice must make arrangements with the instructor to receive alternative assignments, either through NCCER Connect, special projects, or special homework. This option should be used on a limited basis and only with excused absences. Make-up work must be completed before the class ends.

No. “Virginia Registered Apprentice” means the apprentice must be working for a Virginia employer in an apprentice-able occupation and is registered with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. The “Apprentice Action Form” is evidence of state registration. ACE does not issue Apprenticeship Action Forms; these must come from DOLI. Those who are not Virginia-registered apprentices are also welcomed to join electricity, plumbing, surveying, or HVAC-R classes, but they will not receive a state certificate.

Any questions about licensure or journeyman's testing should be directed to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) at 804-367-8500.

Yes, there are.  Each year these dates are updated and are typically published in the early summer. Email appren@fcps.edu if you can't locate them. 

Each location’s street address is listed associated with the individual class.  Additionally there is a map function in our online system that can assist you with identifying the best directions for you to follow to get to the location.

For those classes that require a minimum amount of attendance, this would be considered as an excused absence.  However, these are only granted when documented by a letter from the employer on company letterhead.  Only excused absences are eligible to be made up.  The request to make up missed hours and/or class work must be presented to the instructor within two weeks of the absence. Students with excused absences that are not made up will not get hours credited.

A class may be cancelled for several reasons.  First, if there is a weather event or facility emergency that impacts the ability to meet in person, the class may be cancelled.  Second, if the instructor is not available for any reason (example: the instructor is ill or has a personal emergency), the class may be cancelled.  Third, in the event that there are not enough students enrolled in the class, the class will either be cancelled or postponed.

If a class is cancelled, it will be rescheduled if there are multiple meeting dates for the class.  If the class for which you registered is scheduled to meet only one time, then the class is cancelled; and a refund will automatically be issued in the same manner in which the payment was received (i.e., if paid by credit card, the refund will be processed to the credit card; if paid by check, a check will be cut).  This will may take approximately 1-6 weeks to process.

Online classes are not impacted due to adverse weather or facility emergencies.

If in-person classes are impacted, a notice is posted on the FCPS website about closures (look for references to Adult and Community Classes in that notice).  Additionally, if you sign up for News You Choose FCPS will email you automatically about any facility closing notices.

The Adult ESOL Program has a weather line specific for its English language learners.  Adult ESOL students can call 703-658-1274 for specific adult ESOL weather-related class information.

ACE follows FCPS procedure for in-person classes with a few exceptions.  When schools are delayed two hours, ACE adult classes will begin on time, but any K12 classes are cancelled.  Online classes have different cancellation procedures.  See ACE Cancellation and Withdrawal policy for specifics.  Please note that Summer Learning has its own Cancellation and Withdrawal policy.

When you come to the class location, look for signage posted in the hallways that will direct you to the correct classroom.  Additionally the room assignment will be listed with the class in our online registration system.

For Behind-the-Wheel classes, review your receipt with directions on where to meet outside the FCPS building.

FCPS ACE offers classes all 12 months of the year. In-person classes are held at multiple locations throughout Fairfax County, primarily in FCPS high schools. Depending on the type of school break that FCPS schools announce, ACE classes may be impacted at some locations.

See the FCPS school calendar for a complete list of FCPS school breaks.

Contact your instructor or the program specialist for your department to double check on class meeting days.