Quantum Computer Arrives In Public Education, Fairfax County Schools Leads Way

Fairfax County Public Schools will install the world’s first quantum computer directly within a public high school, with Skyview High School designated as the location for this learning environment. The system, described as being about the size of a small refrigerator, is designed to demystify quantum technology and provide hands-on experience for students exploring fields from cybersecurity to medicine.

Students will apply the computer to practical problems, such as “finding the most efficient way to organize a schedule,” and compare its approach to traditional computing methods. “Our responsibility is to prepare our students for their future and not our past,” said FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid, emphasizing the initiative’s focus on skills for careers that do not yet exist.

FCPS and Partners Launch First K-12 Quantum Computer Program

Skyview High School will be a regional hub for quantum learning following the installation of an operational quantum computer expected in December, a development facilitated by a partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools, Connected DMV, and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Through Connected DMV’s Potomac Quantum Innovation Center, FCPS and its partners are actively building connections with researchers and federal laboratories throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, extending the reach of this educational opportunity beyond a single school. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority will further integrate this initiative with the local business and technology community, providing students with direct exposure to industry leaders and emerging career paths within quantum technology.