Important Upcoming Dates
2024-2025 School Year
October 21 - Fall College Panel
October 31 - Quarter End/Early Release
November 1 - Diwali & All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos - all schools and office will be closed
November 3 - Daylight Savings Time (Fall Back)
November 4 - Student Holiday/School Planning Day
November 5 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday/Election Day
November 8 - Yearbook Photo Makeup Day - 9th, 10th, and 11th grades
November 11 - Veterans Day - All schools and offices will be closed
November 12-13 - Fairfax County Youth Survey
November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday - All schools and offices will be closed
 A Successful Homecoming!
The McLean High School Highlanders had another successful Homecoming this year! The pep-rally, bonfire, football game and dance were fun for everyone. Thanks to all for participating!
Fall College Planning Panel - 10/21
Our Fall College Planning Panel will be Monday, October 21st.
We will start the program with a mini college fair with all six panelists at 6:00 PM followed by the panel at 6:30 PM.
This panel is geared towards underclassmen as they begin to think about what all is involved in the college application process.
Our panelists represent liberal arts & sciences colleges. If you don’t have a good sense of what these types of colleges offer, this is a great way to learn.
Colby College, Davidson College, Hollins College, Lehigh College, Longwood University and St Olaf College reps will comprise the panel.
2024-25 AP Test Opt-Out Timeline and Fees
As part of the FCPS FY 2025 Approved Budget, FCPS is continuing to assess Advanced Placement (AP) test fees. As in previous years, the fees for the first six AP tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s).
FCPS encourages all students to take AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s) by filling out an Opt-Out form to be provided by the student's 3rd period teacher on Tuesday, October 15th. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP course enrollment. AP students must make Opt-Out decisions by October 31st. Parents/Guardians will be billed a $99 non-refundable test fee for AP exams in December 2024 for tests that exceed the six FCPS-funded tests. All Opt-Out forms are due to the box located in Student Services by October 31st. When a student turns in their form, they must sign their name on the list acknowledging their Opt-Out form has been turned in.
2025 AP Testing
Reference the College Board 2025 AP exam dates site for dates of AP Exams. If you have any questions or need an AP Opt-Out form reprinted please contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen at ekdonlen@fcps.edu.
PSAT & SAT School Day Score Release
Students who participated in the Digital PSAT & SAT School Day on Wednesday, October 9th will be able to access their scores via their College Board account on October 24th beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions about score reporting, please contact your counselor or Ms. Donlen.
Expunging High School Courses Taken in Middle School (9th Graders Only)
Parents of current 9th grade students who completed a high school credit bearing course (World Languages, Algebra, and Geometry) in the 2023-24 standard school year may request the final grades for these courses be omitted from your student’s transcript. You must submit a Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School form to McLean High School Student Services, after the course is completed and prior to October 31, 2024. This form may be obtained at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf
Please reach out to your student’s school counselor with any questions.
2025 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School Program
The 2025 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS) Program is beginning its application process. Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide high school juniors and seniors with intensive one-month educational experiences. The selection process is highly competitive. Selected students usually rank in the top 10% of their class and have scored in the 90th percentile or above on standardized tests. Residential programs run from late June to late July. Only students available during that time frame should apply. You are only permitted to apply to one SRGS program.
2025 Academic Programs:
Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities, Marine Science, Mathematics, Science & Technology, Medicine & Health Sciences
2025 Visual & Performing Arts Programs:
Dance, Theatre, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Visual Art
Mr. Allman will hold an interest meeting (students only) for the 2025 Academic programs at 3:00 in the College and Career Center on Wednesday, October 30.
Ms. McNeill will hold an interest meeting (students only) for the 2025 Visual & Performing Arts programs at 3:00 on Thursday, October 24, in the College and Career Center.
For additional information, please visit these VDOE and FCPS links.
VDOE SRGS Academic and VPA website:
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/governor-s-schools/summer-residential-governor-s-schools
FCPS SRGS website:
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/advanced-academics/summer-residential-governors-schools-srgs
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End of 1st Quarter & Early Dismissal - 10/31
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.
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Trivia Night at Longfellow MS - 10/25
Diwali & Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day - 11/1
(Schools and offices are closed)
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Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Diwali - Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos - For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world.
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Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back) - 11/3
This Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
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School Planning,Teacher Workday, & Election Day - 11/4-11/5
Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and a teacher work day. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections webpage.
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Veterans Day - 11/11
Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
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Fairfax County Youth Survey - 11/12 & 11/13
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.
McLean High School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13 during all tenth and twelfth grade English classes.While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete this form and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
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