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Important Dates
Key dates for the 2026-2027 School Year:
For your planning purposes, you can access the FCPS 2026-2027 school year calendar on the FCPS website. We ask that every effort is made to consider the school calendar when planning trips and events that would take students out of school.
September 23-24 – Underclassmen Portraits (through English classes; details below)
September 23 - Virtual Freshman Parent Night, 6-7 pm (will send Zoom link on 9/22)
September 30 - ML Parent Information and Engagement Night, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
October 2 - Senior Panoramic (during Cougar Time)
October 5-8 - Senior Portraits (email sent with details on 9/18)
October 6 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving, Night 1
October 7 – PSAT (10th-11th Grade)/SAT (12th Grade) Day; No School 9th grade/non-testers
October 12 – Staff Development Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 16 - NHS Applications Due (see more details below)
October 19 - Homecoming Pep Rally
October 19-23 - Homecoming Spirit Week
October 23 - Homecoming Game
October 24 - Homecoming Dance
October 30 – End of 1st Quarter, 2 hour early release
Dear Oakton Families,
Building on another fantastic week, I am so proud of our Cougars as they continue to focus and build on our core values of Community, Integrity, and Respect.
We had an electric Friday night under the lights as our Football team moved to 4-0 with a great victory over Colonial Forge High School! We were also honored to have FCPS School Board Member At-Large, Mr. Moon join us at the game—pictured below posing with our talented Dance Team, who delivered another incredible performance.
As we look ahead, we are continuing to put a special focus on "Attendance Matters"—being present and engaged every single day. Consistent attendance is where potential becomes excellence, as every lesson, discussion, and school activity gives our Cougars the opportunity to grow, build confidence, and deepen their learning. Seeing our students show up ready to learn, get involved in school activities, and support one another is what makes our school community thrive.
This positive environment takes all of us working together. I greatly appreciate your continued partnership at home as you help reinforce our core values, encourage involvement, and prioritize daily attendance. Your encouragement plays a vital role in keeping our school safe, joyful, and engaging for every student.
Let’s keep this incredible momentum going into another great week!
Take Care... and Go Cougars!
General Information
PICTURE DAY
School Picture Day is Coming!
📅 Date: Wednesday September 23rd & Thursday September 24th 2026
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416982
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email Victor O’Neill at underclass@vosphoto.com
Students will take their pictures through English classes. If students take an English class online, they can take their picture during 3rd period. If that doesn’t work, you can go during another class period.
It’s Time to Order Your Yearbook! Prices will increase soon and significantly as the year progresses. The 300-page book cost $65 until mid-December but don’t delay. We will run out. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770.
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 on September 11th . 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 Ms. Organt at maorgant@fcps.edu.
More information about Oakton’s NHS can be found on the Oakton website under “National Honor Society”.
Applications are due by October 16, 2025 at 3:00pm.
Oakton Multilingual (ML) Family Information and Engagement Night
Please join us on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. This is an event you don't want to miss!
Location: Oakton High School. College and Career Center Room 1102
Come in Through Door 1
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Please join us for a school information night specifically for families who are multilingual. This means that a language other than English is spoken in your home. At the event you will learn about all Oakton High school has to offer, support for technology resources (SIS, Schoology, Parent VUE). Please bring a cellphone or other device that can connect to Wi-Fi.
Light refreshments will be served.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation
All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2026-2027 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.
2026-2027 Dates:
- October 6 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium
- January 11 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium
- March 15 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium
- May 19 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium
These sessions are intended for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. PSTD nights are not available to freshmen.
If you are unable to attend one of these dates, you can attend a session through Adult and Community Education for a $45 fee.
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.
For more information, please contact Walter Bagwell at wcbagwell@fcps.edu.
Arrival and Dismissal reminders
All Kiss and Ride traffic, both in the morning drop off and afternoon pick up, is in the front of the building. Please do not drive to the back of the building as that is reserved for bus traffic. A full map of the traffic pattern can be found on our Back-to-School information under “Traffic, Buses, School Arrival, and Student Parking”.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to your child’s administrator. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Testing Information
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, 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.
Unscheduled Day for 9th Grade Students - October 7
Because of the testing, most 9th grade students will not have school on October 7. Students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Ninth grade students with disabilities who receive low incidence special education services will still receive in-person instruction with a two-hour early release on October 7.
Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
World Language Credit by Exam
Students in grades 7–12 who demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English may earn world language credit through the World Language Credit by Exam (WLCBE). The exam may also support course placement and eligibility for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy.
Oakton High School will administer the exam November 12–13, 2026. Registration is due to students’ counselors by October 16, 2026. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Learn more about the WLCBE | View available languages | Access the registration form
AP Exam Registration for Non-enrolled Students
If any student wants to take an AP exam in a course that he/she is not enrolled in, registration is now open. Each exam costs $99. You can use this google form to register. Students currently enrolled in an AP course at OHS are automatically registered for the corresponding AP exam and do not need to complete any additional form. The deadline to register is October 23rd. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School at a cost of $99 per exam. Payment is required before the exam space will be reserved.
My School Bucks Link
Other AP related information can be found in our AP Testing FAQs on the Oakton website. If you have any other questions about AP testing in general, please contact AP Coordinator Kim Stewart at kastewart@fcps.edu.
Student Services
Class Schedule Change Requests
Our staffing decisions and the number of courses offered are based on the classes students selected during the registration period last school year. To maintain the best possible program for our students and one that is most responsive to their educational needs, schedule changes were limited to space available.
At this time, schedule changes are now closed.
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor.
Freshman Parent Night (virtual)
The School Counseling Team will be hosting a virtual Freshman Parent Night on September 23rd at 6-7pm. Join us to learn how to navigate the next four years. We will cover counselor supports, resources, academic and attendance expectations, and tips for a smooth transition. An e-notify email will be sent to freshman parents prior to the event on Tuesday, September 22. A recording will be posted to the Oakton HS website afterwards.
Health and Wellness Updates
💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
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 News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Military Families Find a Community in FCPS
- Receive FCPS This Week in Other Languages
- Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, 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. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
PTSA News
Join. Connect. Shape Oakton.
Oakton is strongest when our families, students, teachers, and staff work together. Whether you have time to volunteer, a skill or talent to share, an idea to contribute, or the ability to support a program financially, there is a place for you. Together, we can help build and shape the Oakton community we want for all our students.
Complete our Shape Oakton questionnaire here and tell us how you would like to get involved.
Interested in taking on a PTSA leadership role? Click here.
Membership & Donations
You don't have to serve on a committee to make a difference. If volunteering isn’t possible right now, we welcome you to just become a PTSA member or make a monetary donation. The PTSA does not conduct traditional fundraising activities, and our only fundraising comes through these direct donations. Every contribution helps us support programs, events, students, teachers, and staff throughout the year.
Membership & Donations link here.
All Night Grad Party (ANGP) - Help Us Get Started Now
Planning for the Class of 2027 All Night Grad Party starts now.
ANGP is a special graduation-night celebration where Oakton seniors can come together one final time to celebrate their achievements, friendships, and memories in a safe, alcohol-free and drug-free environment.
Anne Szymanski and Katie Carrier have agreed to Co-Chair the ANGP Committee and are looking for a few dedicated volunteers to join them to help build the foundation for this year’s event starting with event planning, community fundraising, and external sponsorships.
Interested in joining the ANGP Committee? Contact the ANGP team at oaktonhsangp@gmail.com.
Save the Date: October 20 at 7:00 PM
PTSA Members Meeting — Oakton High School Lecture Hall
Join us for Part 2 of Getting to Know Principal Shannon Matheny. Hear more about her journey, her vision, and what’s ahead for Oakton.
You do not have to be a PTSA member to attend. Parents and guardians, students, teachers, and staff are all welcome. Take the opportunity to ask questions and connect with other members of the Oakton community.
We hope to see you there.
Join. Connect. Shape Oakton.
Questions about the PTSA, contact us at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram here. For more information, visit our website here.
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