Little Run Elementary School opened in 1963 during the period known as the baby boom. In 1960, there were 53,700 children enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). By 1970 that number would climb to 133,360. Because the population growth in Fairfax County was primarily driven by the growing size of the federal government, the United States Congress allocated financial aid to FCPS to assist with school construction. The construction of Little Run Elementary School was partially funded by a federal aid grant. Our school was designed by the architecture firm of Pickett & Siess and was modeled after the plans used for Herndon Elementary School.

Honoring Catherine Howard

In May 1980, the Washington Post reported that Little Run Elementary School combined its annual Arbor Day and May Day observations into one special commemoration in honor of a long-time teacher, Catherine Howard. Howard taught at Little Run from 1963 to 1976. She was personally responsible for planting the azaleas, dogwoods, and maple trees that grace our school campus. At the celebration, third grade students played spring songs on plastic recorders for the teachers and parents who attended the gathering. Other children performed a traditional maypole dance. 

What's in a Name?

Learn about the origin of our school's name in this video produced for Fairfax County Public Schools’ cable television channel Red Apple 21.