Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

I hope you enjoyed the sunny weather this weekend! With the weather starting to warm up, now is the perfect time to start prepping your yard. Support the Class of 2026 by purchasing mulch from Annandale High School’s annual Mulch Sale. This is one of the PTSA’s most impactful fundraisers and contributes to the support of the All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC), a safe and memorable send-off for our seniors. Orders are due by April 4, and mulch will be available for pick-up at AHS on Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 to 11:30am Order today! In addition to purchasing mulch, we need volunteers to help with this event. Every effort makes a difference!

As we approach the end of the third quarter (March 27) and begin preparing for end of year testing, our focus remains on ensuring every student is supported and ready for success. PRIDE Time and ASAP 4.0 began last week and provide structured opportunities during the school day for targeted academic support, reteaching, and enrichment. These supports help strengthen skills and build confidence as students prepare for upcoming assessments.

The next two weeks are an important time for families and school staff to work together to support student progress. Families can support this effort by reviewing grades in SIS ParentVUE, checking in with students about assignments and upcoming assessments, and contacting teachers with any questions about a specific class. Contact information is available in ParentVUE or on our website. School counselors are also available to support students and families as needed. Additional information about academic support and tutoring opportunities is included below.

Please note that this is a short week. There will be no school on Friday, March 20 in observance of Eid al Fitr. Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out if you have questions. Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

March 16 - W4 Activities Day
March 18 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm
March 18 - FCPS Virtual Military Fair
March 20 - Eid Al Fitr (No School)
March 21 - Saturday Academic Coaching
March 25 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
March 27 - Quarter 3 Ends
March 30-April 3 - Spring Break (No School)
April 6 - Teacher Workday (No School)
April 7 - IB Art Show
April 7 - Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
April 8 - Senior Breakfast
April 8 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
April 10 - School Planning Day (No School)
April 14 - Annandale Pyramid Art Show, 6pm
April 15 - FCPS Purple Up Day!
April 15 - ASVAB Testing

March 16 - W4 Activities Day: Our final W4 Activities Day is on Monday, March 16. W4 Activities Day is a time set aside for students to explore clubs and activities and connect with classmates and staff over shared interests. Students were given the opportunity to sign up for choice activities in W4 and Schoology and received an email with their assigned activity. If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Neild.

March 18 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm: This is a program for junior parents and students. During the evening, participants will receive an overview of what to expect during senior year, including important academic milestones, graduation requirements, and key timelines. We will also explore post–high school options such as four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and military service. Juniors who attend the event will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship, so we strongly encourage student participation. The event will take place in the Auditorium. For questions contact Viri Acosta, College and Career Specialist.

April 6 - Annandale High School Golf Tournament Fundraiser: Get ready to hit the links in support of Annandale Athletics. Our annual Annandale High School Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, April 6 at 8:30am at Chantilly National Golf and Country Club. This event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a great day of golf while directly supporting our student athletes and athletic programs. Gather your friends, teammates, colleagues, or family members and register as a team, or sign up as an individual player. Individual and Team registration is now open. The cost is $150 for individuals or $560 per team. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those who would like to further support Annandale Athletics. Email Brandon Sutphin for more information.

April 8 - Senior Breakfast, W4 & PRIDE Time: We will be hosting a Senior Breakfast on April 8 during W4 and PRIDE Time. The event will begin in the auditorium, where students will receive important information about end-of-year events, including senior exams, senior activities, graduation, and All Night Grad Party. After the presentation, students will report to the cafeteria for a breakfast and celebration with their classmates.

This is a parent-sponsored event, and we need your support to make it a success. Sign up today to volunteer! If you’re unable to volunteer, please consider making a donation to help make this event a success.

April 14 - Annandale Pyramid Art Show, 6pm: Every spring our K-12 Annandale Pyramid artists are celebrated in an art show hosted at Annandale High School. The show includes 2D and 3D artwork from Annandale Terrace ES, Braddock ES, Bren Mar Park ES, Columbia ES, North Springfield ES, Weyanoke ES, Holmes MS, Poe MS, and Annandale HS in Clausen Hall on April 14 6:00-8:00pm. This year our theme is Our Artists are Out of This World and will have space themed awards for the artwork and activities for kids of all ages hosted by our NAHS students. Come support all of our galactic artists big and small!

Important Information

April 21 - Statewide Election and No School for Students: There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.

Academic Advising Update - Parent Acknowledgement Feature: As the Academic Advising and Course Selection period draws to a close, we want to ensure all families feel confident about their child's educational path. To facilitate this, SIS ParentVUE now allows parents and guardians to review and acknowledge their student's course requests for the 2026-27 school year. This acknowledgement window is open from March 16-March 27, 2026. Please note that this information is not a schedule, it is a list of courses only. Schedules will be finalized and released in August before school starts. 

Instructions to view and acknowledge course requests, log into your ParentVUE account and navigate to the Course Request module. Review your student’s course request list for next school year. Navigate to the Student Info module and click Edit Information. Then, locate the Course Request Acknowledgment field and update to “Yes.” Please reach out to Director of Student Services, Erin Crowley, with any questions.

Lightspeed Parent Portal Allows Parents to Manage Student Screen Time: FCPS has introduced new parent controls in the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help families manage screen time on FCPS-issued devices. Through the portal, parents can control their child's access to YouTube and pause web browsing during designated After-School Hours while students are off the FCPS network. These controls are active Monday - Friday from 3:30pm to 6:00am (even on student holidays) and all day Saturday and Sunday. They do not affect district filtering policies during the instructional day. Parents can register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal using the link provided in their weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. For more information about the Parent Portal, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.

Awesome Atoms

Annandale High School Featured in Mason District Behind the Scenes Series: Annandale High School is proud to be featured as the first stop in Mason District’s new behind the scenes video series, highlighting the people and programs that make our community exceptional. This episode spotlights our performing arts program with longtime arts advocate and Grammy winner Annie Ray, joined by special guest Christylez Bacon, Grammy nominated beatboxer and dynamic performer. Check out the trailer now.

Annandale Students Advance in Rotary Unite for Good Contest: Congratulations to Lily Rumpf for earning First Place in the Annandale Rotary Club Unite for Good Speech Contest. Lily impressed judges with a thoughtful message and strong presentation skills, and now advances to the next level of competition on the path toward the district contest, where participants compete for a $1,000 prize. Congratulations also to Adelein Mamani Arias for earning Second Place and receiving a $250 award in recognition of this accomplishment.

Academic Support & Tutoring Opportunities

Kaplan PSAT & SAT Prep Access: All students in grades 9-11 now have access to Kaplan online PSAT and SAT preparation resources. Students should log in at https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan using their FCPS username and password. Access will remain active through October 31, allowing students to prepare for multiple SAT administrations as well as the October PSAT.

Need Help in Your Class? Stay After School With Your Teacher: Stay With Your Teacher After School! Annandale High School offers late bus transportation three (3) days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All teachers stay after school at least one day a week to provide academic support for students. Please refer to this list to see which day your student’s teacher is available after school.

Need to Make Up a Test? Sign Up for the Retake Room! To support students in retaking assessments or making up missed assignments, the retake room is located in room 299 at the end of the Social Studies hall. Retakes are available on Late Bus Days after school, and every White Day during PRIDE Time. Students who would like to take advantage of the retake room must work with their teacher to sign up.

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost: FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

Saturday Academic Coaching: Annandale teachers will be available on select Saturdays from 8:30am to 11:00am to support students in prioritizing their work, completing outstanding assignments, and facilitating assessment retakes. This is a focused, distraction-free window to get individualized help, improve grades, and stay on track. Academic Coaching sessions will be offered on April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

Opportunities

Spring Break College Application Bootcamp And SAT Intensive: Seniors from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are hosting a virtual Spring Break College Application Bootcamp and SAT Intensive from March 30-April 3 via Zoom. The SAT Intensive will be held from 9:00am-12:00pm, and the College Application Bootcamp will take place from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Programming includes one-on-one consultations, essay workshops, and focused lessons on commonly missed SAT problem types. Families may register for the SAT Intensive for $249, the College Application Bootcamp for $349, or a bundled option for $549. Space is limited to support individualized attention, and interested students can register here or email jemini.prep@gmail.com for additional information.

Exploring Careers in Law Enforcement: Students interested in careers in law enforcement or public service have an opportunity to learn directly from the Fairfax County Police Department through the Community Police Academy. This program offers participants an inside look at many areas of policing, including investigations, training, and specialized units, while providing valuable insight into how officers serve and support the community. Students who are curious about a future in public safety are encouraged to explore this opportunity. More information is available on the Police Academy website.

Former Annandale Student in World Premiere Production: Annandale High School student Janiyah Strickland will take the stage as the Mad Hatter and Mrs. Watson in the world premiere of Sherlock in Wonderland at Encore Stage and Studio. Performances will run March 20-29, 2026 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington, VA, with shows on Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 11:00am and 3:00pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm. This original production blends mystery and imagination in a creative retelling that brings Sherlock Holmes into the world of Wonderland. Families and community members are encouraged to attend and support Janiyah in this exciting opportunity. Tickets range from $13-$16 and are available at www.encorestage.org.

Rotary Music Contest Win Up to $500! Annandale High School students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Annandale Rotary Club Music Contest, which features solo vocal, keyboard, or instrumental performances. The school level contest will take place on March 16 at 3:30pm in Room C-59, with cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $150 for third place. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talents, earn scholarship money, and advance to area and district level competitions. To enter, complete the Rotary Music Contest submission form by Sunday, March 15.

All Night Grad Tickets On Sale Now! Tickets are now on sale for this year’s All Night Grad Celebration, a long-standing Annandale High School tradition made possible by the Annandale High School PTSA and the parent community. This safe, fun, and adult-supervised event is entirely volunteer-run and provides seniors with a memorable way to celebrate together.

The All Night Grad Celebration will take place on June 9, beginning at 11:00 PM, with doors closing at midnight. Tickets are available for $55 but will increase to $65 soon. Students can look forward to great food, games, a DJ, top-notch entertainment, and exciting door prizes, including computers and televisions.

Discounted tickets are available for students in need, and interested students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor for more information. Parent volunteers are also essential to the success of this event, and families are encouraged to sign up to help if they are able. Email Annandale.angc@gmail.com with any questions.

Career Exploration Opportunity - Sign Up to Take the ASVAB! The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a free career exploration assessment that helps students identify their strengths and explore career options in fields like skilled trades, healthcare, technology, and the military. This test isn’t just for those considering military service. It is a valuable tool for any student looking to understand their skills and plan for life after high school. Plus, students who earn a qualifying score will receive the Career Readiness Medal to wear at graduation. Additionally, we will host an after-school meeting to help students learn how to interpret their ASVAB results and use them to guide their postsecondary planning. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned! The ASVAB will be offered during the school day on April 15, so sign up today! For questions, see Ms. Acosta, College & Career Specialist. Sign up to take the ASVAB today!

Learner's Permit Testing at Annandale: Are you 15 and a half years old (or older) and ready to start your driving journey? Annandale High School is offering the Virginia Learner’s Permit Test after school in Room 43 throughout the school year. Find out more here or reach out to Driver’s Ed Teachers, Lizzie McManus or Morgan Neild with questions.

Parent Volunteers and Donations Needed! 

The final few months of the school year include several important events and opportunities to support Annandale High School through donations or volunteering. Community involvement helps make these events possible and strengthens the experiences we provide for students. Thank you for considering how you may be able to contribute. Detailed opportunities are listed below.

April 8 - Donations and Volunteers Needed for Senior Breakfast: We will be hosting a Senior Breakfast on April 15 and need your assistance making this event a success. Sign up today to volunteer! If you’re unable to volunteer, please consider making a donation to help make this event a success.

April 28-May 20 - Proctors Needed for IB Exams: Calling all Volunteers! The IB exams are starting soon and we are in need of help to proctor the exams. Volunteers are needed to walk around the testing room occasionally and sit/monitor students. No special training is needed ahead of time. Each testing room will have at least one experienced proctor that will be in charge of administering the test. We just need additional adult supervision. Volunteers must be 21 or older. Bring your driver’s license to check-in at the main office. Dress casually with comfortable shoes! If you are available to assist, please reach out to Linda Bradshaw.

May 9 - Prom Chaperones Needed: The Class of 2026 is seeking volunteers to chaperone Prom. Annandale’s prom is on Saturday, May 9 from 8pm - 11pm at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314). This is a great time to dance and celebrate with the Class of 2026 in a beautiful location on the water in Old Town Alexandria! Please use this link to sign up to be a chaperone at the greatest event of the year! Email Erin Mahoney or Chase Cole with questions.

News from Students Services

March 18 - FCPS Virtual Military Fair, 6pm-8pm: FCPS students and their families are invited to our Virtual FCPS Military Night. This event is designed for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the military pathways and opportunities. At 6pm there will be a panel discussion followed by the following breakout sessions Enlistment, Service Academies, and