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Important Dates
October 6-9 - Senior Portraits, Session #3
October 8 - PSAT/SAT Day; 2 Hr. Early Release
October 13 - Student Holiday, Staff Development Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 20 - No School, Diwali
October 31 - 1st Quarter Ends; 2 Hr. Early Release
November 3 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day
November 4 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
November 11 - No School, Veterans Day
The FCPS School Year Calendars are available below by school year for your planning purposes.
General Information
⏰ Take the School Start Times Survey
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any costs associated with this change, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.
Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, October 6. Find more information on adjusting school start times on the FCPS website.
Oakton High School National Honors Society
All eligible 11th and 12th grade students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher received an invitation to apply to Oakton’s National Honor Society the week of September 2nd . Students received this invitation through their FCPSschools.net email.
All information for the application process was included in the letter. Current NHS members DO NOT need to reapply. Any student who has transferred to Oakton in the past year who had membership in another established NHS program should contact Mrs. Stewart at kastewart@fcps.edu
More information about Oakton’s NHS can be found HERE.
Applications are due by October 13, 2025 at 3:00pm.
Veterans Day Speaker Series
To honor the tradition of military family connectedness at Oakton High School, United States history teachers are seeking staff and community members who are veterans or active-duty personnel interested in speaking with students about their service experiences on Wednesday, November 12th and/or Thursday, November 13th.
This celebration of Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students benefit from learning about the military as a potential career option.
School appropriate service artifacts are welcomed and encouraged. Zoom or Google Meet options available if currently out of the area.
If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete THIS FORM and we will follow up with additional details.
 Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation
All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2025-2026 school year must attend an in-person Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD). The presentation is connected to successful classroom instruction and must be completed to receive a DEC-District 8 card (pink card). The parent-teen traffic safety presentation (PSTD) will be offered multiple times during the school year at Oakton. Students and their parents/guardians should plan to attend the presentation at Oakton at your earliest convenience.
All PSTDs begin promptly. Late admission will not be allowed.
2025-2026 Dates:
- September, 29 2025 6:30-8:00pm
- January 12, 2026 6:30-8:00pm
- March 16, 2026 6:30-8:00pm
- May 18, 2026 6:30-8:00pm
These sessions are intended for Sophomores. Juniors and Seniors can attend a session through Adult and Community Education.
PSTD nights are not available to freshmen.
Please find more information about driver education for parents by accessing this flyer.
Attendance Spotlight
🙋 Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now to help them graduate from college on time and routinely report to work on time once they have a career.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence. To find out how best to communicate your student's full or partial day absences, please see the Oakton HS website.
Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for resources on attendance.
Testing Information
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT 2025
On Wednesday, October 8, Oakton High School will administer the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT. All students who attend school that day will be dismissed on a two-hour early release at 12:55 PM.
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10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT/NMSQT (no registration required).
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12th grade students who registered by September 4 will take the SAT.
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9th grade students and 12th grade students who did not register for the SAT will not attend school. This will be an unscheduled day that students may use to complete assignments or prepare for upcoming assessments.
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Students in adapted curriculum programs will attend school and follow their regularly scheduled classes. Families with questions should contact their student’s case manager.
Testing Requirements and Reminders
- Students must arrive on time; late arrivals will not be admitted once testing has begun.
- Testing locations were sent to students via their fcpsschools.net email on October 3, 2025.
- All students must bring their fully charged FCPS-issued Chromebook and charger.
- Personal devices may not be used for testing
- Students who do not bring their FCPS-issued Chromebook may be unable to test.
For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT, please visit our website: https://oaktonhs.fcps.edu/academics/testing/psatsatact
AP Testing Opt-Out Letters
As part of the FCPS FY 2026 Approved Budget, FCPS is continuing to assess Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test fees. As in previous years, the fees for the first six AP/IB 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).
AP students must make Opt-Out decisions by October 31st, 2025 and parents will be billed a $99 non-refundable test fee in December 2025 for tests that exceed the six FCPS funded tests.
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 school. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP course enrollment.
Oakton students received their opt-out letters on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. All Opt-Outs are due by Friday October 31st at 3pm to Mr. Chang in Student Services. If students need a new Opt-Out form they can see Mr. Chang and he will reprint the form.
Oakton information will continue to be posted on our AP Exam page.
Student Services
October Newsletter
Happy October Cougars! Check out the Student Services’ October newsletter for important information including:
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Student Services Highlights
- Recordings of Freshman Parent Night and Senior Parent Night
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College & Career Center Updates
- College Admissions Rep Visits
- FAFSA Application Information
- College Access Fairfax FAFSA & Scholarship Resources
- Level Up Virginia Financial Aid Webinar
- Additional Resources for Financial Aid
- Scholarship Resources
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Testing Updates
- AP Testing Opt-out Letters
- AP Exam Registration for Non-enrolled Students
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Upcoming Events
- SEL Screener: October 9
- Brain Breaks
- World Language Credit by Exam
- 2025 FCPS College Fair & Virtual Postsecondary Night
- ASVAB Test Registration
2026-27 FAFSA Form Now Open
Federal Student Aid has made the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available ahead of the scheduled release date. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Families should check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. They will need to create an account to fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is most appropriate, families can visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will be offering several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA.
To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.
Class Schedule Change Requests
Timeline for Schedule Changes
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September 8-November 7 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
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After November 10: Any student requesting a schedule change will need to fill out the schedule change request form, with permission from parent, student, teacher, school counselor, and administrator. If approved by the administration, schedule changes will only be processed if there is space available.
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After March 27: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor.
Health and Wellness Updates
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. Visit the How To Submit Immunization Documents webpage for step-by-step guidance on how to check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information
Please check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2025-26 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students
Is your student 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 FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for information about this service.
Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. But fentanyl is a threat to young people across the country and in Fairfax County. So it's important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk.
As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen. See our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming Unskippable.
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 News
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Welcomes Military Families
- October Community Boundary Review Meetings
- Community Conversations
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Why Are Bonds Needed to Fund FCPS Construction Projects?
The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the FCPS’ operating funds, but through bonds. Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment.
This approach is good for our taxes, too. If capital construction were financed out of current tax revenues on a pay-as-you-go basis, projects would need to be paid for in a much shorter time frame, likely reducing other county services or necessitating tax increases. Fortunately, the county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes.
A bond referendum to benefit FCPS will be on the ballot this Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. It represents an investment by the community into the facilities everyone uses — whether for school or to gather as a community.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
🎤 Community Conversations With Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! Parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. To register for the October 3 meeting, please click that date below. Registration links for the other dates will be available soon:
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Please check our website for updates.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
FCPS will begin holding October community boundary review meetings on Monday, October 13. The new draft map, Scenario 4, will be shared with the community for feedback at those meetings. It will also be uploaded to the Boundary Explorer Tool shortly before October 13. Community members will then be able to provide feedback in the tool at their convenience.
As a reminder, the community provided feedback on draft scenarios 1-3 in the spring. Scenario 4 continues to build upon the first three scenarios. It is informed by the Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee, which reviewed community feedback received in the spring to help develop priorities that the consultant used to create Scenario 4.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
PTSA News
PTSA Mini-Grant Application is now open!
Teachers, staff and students representing a club at Oakton High School are invited to apply for PTSA mini-grants. Mini-grant requests should provide a beneficial impact to a broad range of students and a long-term/sustainable benefit to the school. Priority consideration will be given to cover the cost of activities, resources or items not already available via the school, and that are not readily accessible through direct donations from other sources. For more details visit https://oaktonhsptsa.ptboard.com/annlist.
PTSA Meeting is Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7pm!
Come find out what's happening with the PTSA at the first general membership meeting of the school year. The virtual Zoom meeting link is posted on the PTSA website. Visit https://oaktonhsptsa.ptboard.com/home to complete your annual PTSA membership form and join the mailing list.
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