Upcoming Events
September 27 - October 5 - Blue Star Welcome Week
October 1 - AMC Mathematics Competition Deadline
October 1 & 2 - Yom Kippur
October 6 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation
October 8 - PSAT/SAT School Day
September 27 - October 5 - Blue Star Welcome Week
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate, and schools are a primary way they get integrated into their new location. 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. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 27 - October 5, 2025, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
October 1 - AMC Mathematics Competition Deadline
Register for the AMC 10/12 Mathematics Competition
Test Information
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What: The American Mathematics Competition (AMC 10/12)
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When: After school on Wednesday, November 5th and Thursday, November 13th.
How to Register
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Deadline: You must register by Wednesday, October 1st.
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Where: Sign up and pay on MySchoolBucks.
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Cost: $8
- This single payment automatically registers you for both test days.
For more details, please see the update from your math teacher on Schoology!
October 1 & 2 - Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 1, 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. Thursday, October 2, is a holiday and schools and offices will be closed. See the complete school year calendar.
October 6 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation
The seminar 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.
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.
Principal's Corner
Dear Highlander Families,
I am reaching out to ask for your assistance with ensuring all of our children are present for class, on time, and ready to perform at their best during the school day. We have noticed a significant increase in students arriving at school 10 or more minutes late, and students repeatedly arriving late for their classes during the school day. Students entering classes after the bell has rung miss important information, typically key instructions regarding what is to happen during class and the introduction of new materials and concepts they need to successfully complete learning tasks. Further, late arrivals disrupt teaching and learning for others, and frequently require teachers to spend time re-teaching points late arrivals have missed, which takes time away from direct instruction of the class.
Beginning next week, our school will implement tardy sweeps to help reinforce the importance of being on time. Tardy sweeps encourage students to make good choices between periods, as well as help school staff identify students who are routinely late for classes and implement support structures to help them better manage their transition time. I’d like to ask that you please encourage your child to arrive at school on time, and prioritize reporting to all classes prior to the late bell ringing.
Just as with other attendance policies, repeated unexcused tardiness can lead to school based consequences under the Students Rights and Responsibilities, including the assignment of after school detention. We will also begin notifying parents when students reach 3 or more unexcused tardies in a weekly period.
We appreciate your support in helping us to ensure all students are able to have a successful and engaging learning experience at McLean High School this year!
Best,
Raven N. Jones
Yearbook & Pictures
Senior Yearbook Photos - Scheduling your Appointment
Members of the Class of 2026 who have not yet been photographed, must schedule an appointment for our September / October dates! The final opportunity for senior portrait appointments at McLean will be Sept. 30- Oct. 1. Remember: the yearbook sitting fee is absolutely free! Schedule your appointment here: https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mclean-hs-va/
Yearbook Picture Day for 9th, 10th, and 11th Graders:
9th & 10th graders will be photographed with their Health/PE class on Wednesday, Sept. 24 & Thursday, Sept. 25. 11th graders will be photographed with their US History class on Wednesday, Sept. 24 & Thursday, 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 and 11th graders:
Students who missed the original picture day, will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on our makeup day, Friday, November 7. More information about appointment times and room will be shared closer to Nov. 7.
Ordering a Yearbook – Prices go up Oct. 1!
Yearbooks are available for sale on MySchoolBucks. The price is $63 until October 1. Prices will go up after the October 1 presale date. Guarantee you get a book and get the best price and order by Oct. 1!
Testing Information
PSAT/SAT School Day - October 8
9th Graders- Stay home and do not report to McLean HS. Teachers will not provide work for students to complete on 10/8. However, students may have work previously assigned by their teachers to complete that is due 10/09 or later.
10th & 11th Graders- Report to McLean HS by 8:00 am to take the digital PSAT. All 10th & 11th grade students were automatically registered for the digital PSAT.
12th Graders- If you did not sign up to take the SAT, stay home. Only the 12th graders who completed the intent to participate form were registered to take the digital SAT. Report to McLean HS by 8:00 am to take the SAT.
All students testing should bring:
- FCPS Chromebook and charger *
- Two or more No. 2 pencils
- Calculator (Optional): All students will have access to the Desmos online calculator. If you choose to bring a handheld calculator, it must be a College Board approval model.
- Water and snacks (Snacks may only be consumed during breaks)
Student testing locations were sent to each student’s FCPS Gmail on 9/25. If you have any questions, please contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).
Thinking About Self-Studying for an AP Exam?
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.
Student Services
Paperless Report Cards
We’re excited to offer you a more convenient option for receiving your child’s report cards: Go Paperless!
By choosing to go paperless, you'll be able to:
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Access report cards directly in ParentVUE with just a few clicks.
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Reduce wait time in seeing your child’s report card.
Here's how you can opt-in:
- Log into ParentVUE, click on "My Account," and select “Go Paperless.”
- All parents/guardians living with the student at the same address must have an active SIS ParentVUE account to opt-in.
- Once selected, the “Go Paperless” option will apply to all associated students, no matter their grade level.
- If you’ve already opted for paperless for your secondary students, it will automatically apply to any younger siblings at the elementary level too!
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 2024-25 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, 2025. 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.
National Honor Society Applications
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, October 3rd, 2025. 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. Dorsey (ESDorsey@fcps.edu) with any questions.
Resources for Life After High School
Roadmap to College: What Students Should Do Each Year of High School Join the FCPS Family Resource Center for this engaging and informative webinar on what high school students should do to stand out on college applications. Attend for a guide for families and clear strategies for college preparation and success. This webinar is for families of upper-middle and high school students. Register to attend online on Friday, October 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
College Fair and Postsecondary NightPrepare for your student’s future at College Fair and Postsecondary Night. The annual FCPS College Fair will be held Sunday, October 19, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6 p.m. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.
The virtual postsecondary night event will be held on Tuesday, October 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event.
Financial Aid Resources for Parents and StudentsParents and students in the Class of 2026 are invited to attend a series of workshops designed to help them understand the financial aid and scholarship processes. Join College Access Fairfax at any of the following virtual presentations. Click on a date to join the session:
- Paying for College for Military Families
- FAFSA Line-by-Line
For more information, contact info@collegeaccessfairfax.org.
 In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Safety in Our Schools
- New Fall Food Items
- Driver’s Education from a Trusted Source
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
McLean PTSA
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
Register for Volunteer FCPS
Your time supports our students in powerful ways. Help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
Weekly Reminders
McLean HS Tech Support for Students 🖥️
If you are experiencing issues with your FCPS issued laptop, please use the Tech Support Request Form to enter your information. The tech support team will then get back to you as soon as possible.
Attendance Reporting
Regular attendance can help students be successful at school, graduate on time, and achieve their life goals. Visit our website for attendance resources.
Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact our school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
Social-Emotional Support
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
Quick Links
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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