Important Upcoming Dates
2024-2025 School Year
September 15 - October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 21-29 - Blue Star Welcome Week
September 24 & 25 - Yearbook Photos for 9th, 10th and 11th graders
September 26 - Parent Book Talk
October 2-4 - Rosh Hashanah/Teacher Workday
October 2 - Love Like Adam Presentation - 11th and 12th Grade Presentation
October 2 - National Custodian Appreciation Day
October 3 - Holiday for students & staff - all FCPS schools & offices are closed
October 4 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
October 9 - PSAT/SAT Day
October 9 - Walk and Roll to School Day
October 11 - Yom Kippur
October 18 - Homecoming Football Game
October 19 - Homecoming Dance
October 20-22 - College Fair and Look to the Future Events
November 8 - Yearbook Photo Makeup Day
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 9, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.
Prior to test day, students will complete a digital readiness check during an advisory lesson at school. During the digital readiness check, students will see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. If you choose to opt your student out of the pre-survey, please notify the Assessment Coach Elly Donlen at ekdonlen@fcps.edu by Friday, September 20, 2024, and include your student’s full legal name and FCPS ID number in the email.
All FCPS students have access to Varsity Tutors and Khan Academy’s free online test preparation. Varsity Tutors provides live tutoring services, including SAT preparation. Khan Academy provides a library of practice questions, videos, lessons, plus test taking tips and strategies. Students will also have access to full length paper tests and digital SAT practice tests via the College Board Bluebook App
If you have questions about the SAT School Day or PSAT/NMSQT administration at McLean High School, please contact the Assessment Coach, Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).
Is your student thinking about self-studying for an AP exam this school year?
Self-studying means that a student plans to take an AP exam for a class they are not currently enrolled in. Each AP exam a student self-studies for will cost $99.
Please have your student complete the self-study google form, and pay the non-refundable exam fee in MySchoolBucks by October 27th. As your student considers self-studying for exams, please check the AP Exam schedule to ensure that they do not over-schedule themselves. Exams will only be moved to the late testing schedule for extreme circumstances. If you have any additional questions, please contact the McLean Assessment Coach, Elly Donlen, at ekdonlen@fcps.edu.
English 11 WorkKeys Testing
For the 2024-25 school year, all students enrolled in English 11 will take the WorkKeys® Business Writing test to earn their Writing verified credits. English 11 Honors & English 11 DE students will be assessed in their English class during the November test window. English 11 on-level students will be assessed in their English class during the end of January test window. The WorkKeys® assessment will provide the required verified credit for writing while preserving classroom instructional time, as it is a single 30-minute assessment. All students enrolled in AP Lang can receive their Writing verified credit by earning a 2 or higher on their AP exam.
If you would prefer your student take the Writing SOL in March in place of the WorkKeys writing, you will need to complete the WorkKeys opt-out form no later than October 30th for English 11 Honors & English 11 DE students and January 8th for English 11 on-level students.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu), McLean Assessment Coach.
Senior Planning Page
Counselors have completed one-on-one meetings with their seniors reviewing graduation requirements, post-secondary planning, and the McLean college application process. Seniors have access to all materials on their Senior Class Schoology page and should review the follow-up email sent from their counselor. Parents can view the same materials on our Senior Planning page. Reach out to your student’s counselor or Mrs. Barnes if you have any follow up questions.
McLean HS Grading Policies
As grade books are now viewable in SIS ParentVUE, please remember our grading practices and standard comments. Teachers will communicate the status of assignments and assessments using these practices and comment codes. If you have questions about your student’s grades, please reach out to their teacher directly.
 Yearbook Photos - 9th, 10th & 11th graders
9th & 10th graders will be photographed with their Health/PE class on Tuesday, Sept. 24 or Wednesday, Sept. 25.
11th graders will be photographed with their US History class on Tuesday, Sept. 24 or Wednesday, Sept. 25.
9th & 10th graders who do not take Health/PE on-campus at McLean this year, and 11th graders who do not take US History on-campus at McLean this year, should check their email for a message from Ms. Percival about which day and time to report to the auditorium to have their picture taken.
MAKEUP DAY - 9th, 10th & 11th graders
Students who missed the original picture day, will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on our makeup day, Friday, November 8 in the Dance Room.
Yearbook Photos - 12th graders
Many members of the Class of 2025 have already been photographed. If you still need to schedule your senior portrait appointment you can do so here: https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mclean-hs-va/ The remaining dates are Sept. 30 and Nov. 12 & 13.
Student ID cards
9th, 10th and 11th graders will receive their student ID card when they have their picture taken on Sept. 24 or 25, or on the makeup day, Nov. 8. Seniors will receive their ID cards in October.
Students who enroll after Nov. 8 or who lose their ID card, can go to the security office in the cafeteria to have an ID card printed..
Ordering Photos
Ordering Photos - 9th, 10th & 11th graders:
- Before, on or after picture day, go to https://legacystudios.com/purchase/
- On the page titled: View and Purchase Your Portraits, click on the image of the student on the left that says Underclass
- On the next page, you'll be asked if you have your online code
- Click on the gray bar marked “No - what’s my code”
- Copy your online code
- Click “Visit Online Gallery”
- Paste your online code
- Enter your email address
- Review package and product offerings and make your selections
- When you've made your selections, click on the green button on the bottom right of the page marked Checkout
- On the next page, you'll find options for retouching, teeth whitening, etc. as well as your portrait background choices
- Make your selections and click on the blue button on the bottom right of the page that says Next
- From there, you'll enter your student's information and proceed to checkout by clicking the blue Next button
- Keep in mind that all packages and products will be sent to the home or mailing address provided. Pictures are not returned to the school for distribution.
For assistance, please contact Legacy Studios Customer Care team directly at customercare@legacystudios.com or 716.512.6336.
National Honor Society
NHS Applications Due 9/30
Applications for the National Honor Society have been sent to all eligible students via student email last week. To be eligible to apply to the McLean Chapter of the National Honor Society students must be in 11th or 12th grade, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, be a student at McLean for at least 1 semester, and have no major disciplinary infractions. Applications will be submitted electronically and are due by Monday, September 30th, 2024. Seniors who applied last year and were accepted do not need to re-apply. Please contact the NHS Advisers, Ms. Handy (LMHandy@fcps.edu) or Ms. Murphy-Neilson (MCMurphyneil@fcps.edu) with any questions.
 Blue Star Welcome Week - 9/21 - 9/29
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Be on the lookout for McLean High School Instagram posts this week highlighting some of our faculty members with military backgrounds, and a special newsletter celebrating our military connected staff!
 Book Talk - 9/26
The McLean High School Administration will host book talks for parents and students that focus on learning and the brain. The goal of the book talks will be to provide strategies that both parents and students can use at home to support learning, growth, and independence. Our first book talk is based on the book, Learn Like a Pro, by Barbara Oakley. We invite all parents to join us in reading this text, but reading the text is not a prerequisite for attending our book talk. A community meeting to discuss the book for parents and students will be facilitated by the McLean High staff and administration on September 26, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The McLean High School PTSA will hold their September meeting immediately following the book talk.
National Hispanic Heritage Month - 9/15-10/15
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Love Like Adam Presentation for 11th and 12th Grade Students - 10/2
The Love Like Adam Foundation was established in honor of Adam Oakes, who died from hazing in February 2021 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The foundation provides hazing prevention education to middle, high, and university students. On Wednesday, October 2nd, 11th and 12th grade students will be dismissed from 1st period at 9:30 am. The presentation will be in the Lower Gym and will last approximately 90 minutes.
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Rosh Hashanah - 10/2-10/4
Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only Observation day, and important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar.
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Walk and Roll to School Day - 10/9
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
Yom Kippur - 10/11
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar.
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College Fair and Look to the Future Events - 10/20-10/22
The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30 p.m. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies. Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5- 8p.m. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. Students may REGISTER HERE.
Volunteers are needed for the College Fair. SIGN-UP TODAY to help make this event a success for students and their families.
 McLean Matters Backpack and Calculator Drive 2024
McLean High School has approximately 300 students who are at, or below, the poverty level. That is 12% of the student body. We are collecting donations of backpacks, calculators, and school supplies for our MHS Students-in-Need. Rising costs and higher demand has made school supplies donations scarce, particularly graphing calculators. Many of our Students-in-Need are unable to obtain items from local charities that normally provide their back-to-school supplies.
Please click the Amazon Charity Wish List HERE to purchase backpacks, calculators, and school supplies for donation. Items will be shipped directly to Mclean High School.
Alternatively, Sign Up HERE to purchase a backpack or calculator for donation. If you choose to sign up to purchase an item at the store, you or your student can drop it off, or ship it to:
Jennifer Hill
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road McLean, VA 22101
Items are needed by Friday, September 27.
If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.
NOTE: McLean High School PTSA is a 501(c)3 organization.
Help the MHS PTSA Meet it's Fundraising Goal
We are beginning our exciting journey into the 2024-2025 school year feeling inspired by the tremendous impact that the McLean High School community can make—your involvement was crucial to last year’s success in helping our students and teachers. This year, we can build on that momentum with your continued support.
Our PTSA Fundraising efforts are vital to enhancing the educational experience for all students at McLean High. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $48,175 last year! Your contributions made a significant difference by supporting:
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Student Club and Teacher Grants: Fostering innovative projects and enriching extracurricular activities.
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Science Enrichment: Providing essential resources and opportunities to ignite students' passion for science.
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School and Curriculum Support: Ensuring access to top-quality educational materials and programs.
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Hospitality: Creating engaging events that strengthen our school community.
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Celebrate McLean: Highlighting and celebrating our school’s achievements and spirit.
Looking ahead, our goal is to raise $51,000 this year to continue supporting these important initiatives. We invite you to join us by contributing to our 2024-2025 PTSA Fundraising Campaign. Your donation will have a direct impact on our students’ educational experiences and help us achieve new milestones.
To help us reach this year’s goal, we are looking for a donation of $180 per family, which includes a $30 PTSA membership fee. You can contribute through this link: Donation and Membership.
Every gift, regardless of size, is deeply appreciated. If you prefer to make a customized donation, please use this link: Custom Donation. And don't forget to join the PTSA: https://mclean.givebacks.com/store/items/75000.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to McLean High School. Together, we can make this school year our most successful yet!
Mock Testing - SAT and ACT
Looking for an opportunity to practice for the SAT, and ACT? The McLean PTSA is partnering with The Princeton Review and Marigold Prep to offer practice tests. Each testing session starts at 9am. The test dates are as follows:
SAT: November 16, 2024; January 11, 2025; April 5, 2025
ACT: September 21, 2024; November 9, 2024; January 4, 2025; March 1, 2025; April 26, 2025
Join us virtually to take the full-length practice tests. The registration fee is $20 per exam.
Register for SAT practice tests
Register for ACT practice tests
Registration closes 3 days prior to each exam, and you will receive an email with further instructions regarding the testing session. After each test, you will receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses.
Questions? Contact pwilliams@mcleanptsa.org
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
SEL Screener
Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.
After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.
Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact our school psychologist, school counselor, or school social worker at to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students
Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? Do they seem withdrawn or uninterested in their usual hobbies?
Parents/caregivers can refer their children for free weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. For example, making sure they are readers by third grade and taking courses that challenge them throughout their education will help prepare them for lifelong success. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
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Community Conversations
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
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Monday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
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Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
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Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
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Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School.
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture
Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.
Weekly Reminders
Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar
As part of the FCPS Health and PE curriculum, all 10th grade students enrolled in Health & PE 10 complete one quarter of classroom Driver Education. As part of the Driver Education curriculum, students are required to attend the Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation, in person, with at least one parent or guardian. Successful completion of classroom Driver Education AND attendance by the student and parent/guardian enables the student to obtain the DEC-District 8 completion card needed to pursue obtaining a Virginia driver’s license. While it is recommended that the PSTD seminar requirement be satisfied during the quarter in which the student is taking classroom driver education, students are welcome to attend any quarter within their 10th grade year. All seminars will be held in-person from 6:30-8:00 PM in the auditorium. Please arrive early. Doors will close promptly at 6:30. Attendees who arrive late will not be allowed entry and will not earn credit for attending.
The 90-minute PSTD presentation will be offered once per quarter throughout the school year. McLean High School’s dates for the 2023-2024 calendar year are below.
October 7, 2024
January 13, 2025
February 24, 2025
May 12, 2025
Important: Students who successfully complete their classroom driver education quarter but have not satisfied the PSTD requirement will have earned an incomplete for the class grade until the requirement is met.
This program is available to FCPS students enrolled in grade 10 health and physical education at no charge. Students who are completing classroom instruction through a commercial driving school, are home schooled, are enrolled in another school division, or are FCPS students in grade 11 or 12 must register to attend the 90-minute PSTD seminar. A $30 fee applies, and registration is available through FCPS Adult and Community Education (aceclasses.fcps.edu). Please reach out to Marissa Gaines (MAGaines@fcps.edu) with any questions.
McLean HS Tech Support for Students
If you are experiencing issues with your FCPS issued laptop, please use the link below to enter your information. The tech support team will then get back to you as soon as possible.
We will continue to support students remotely as much as possible. If a computer has been identified as needing hands-on repair, we will schedule an appointment for you to come to the school to exchange it.
Description: This form should be filled out by a student if they are experiencing issues with their FCPSOn laptop.
Please click on the link below to access the Tech Support Request Form.
Parent/Student Support Portal Link
Social-Emotional Support Information
Mental Health and Wellness Support Services and Resources
McLean’s Clinical Staff are available to consult with parents and students regarding mental health related concerns and behaviors. They are also able to provide community resources as needed. Please see their contact information below:
Carol Ann Forrest, School Psychologist, CMForrest@fcps.edu
Beverly Parker-Lewis, School Psychologist, baparkerlewi@fcps.edu
Marly Jerome-Featherson, School Social Worker, mjeromefeath@fcps.edu
For more Mental Health and Wellness Information, please check out these Student Wellness Resources, FCPS’s Healthy Minds Blog and the FCPS’s Parent Resource Center.
Emergency Resources
Crisis Link Regional Hotline 703-527-4077
Crisis Text Text NEEDHELP to 85511
Dominion Hospital Emergency 703-536-2000
INOVA Emergency 703-289-7560
Merrifield Center Emergency 703-573-5979 TTY dial 711
Life Threatening 911
FCPS Cares
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Do you know a McLean High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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