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Important Dates
March 20th: Holiday - Eid al-Fitr
Principal’s Message
Happy Thursday Wolverine Community,
Congrats to student, Samuel Finnegan! Students from all over FCPS competed at the 2026 SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership and Skills Conference March 9 – 11, 2026, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Our students did an exceptional job representing Edison Academy, bringing home a record breaking sixteen medals!! Out of the students that placed, three placed first and thirteen placed in the top three.
Two Fairfax County Public Schools students qualified to advance to the SkillsUSA National competition June 1 – 5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia (Samuel Finnegan, West Potomac HS—Internetworking and Ceasar Fetzner, Mount Vernon HS—Career Pathways).
Please click on this link to read a story posted on our website about the competition; https://edisonacademy.fcps.edu/features/edison-academy-students-find-success-2026-skillsusa-virginia-state-conference.
Band Assessment last week: Last week, we had two West Po bands perform their own assessment programs for a state appointed adjudication panel. Both groups were incredibly successful! Each of our performing ensembles received STRAIGHT SUPERIOR ratings from our panel of judges! Both groups also received straight A’s on their performance from at least 1 judge. CONGRATS to those students for their hard work and dedication!
Honor Band- the results of 1st Period’s assessment performance combined with the superior ratings earned by the marching band at their state assessment once again earns West Po the title of Virginia State Honor Band for 2025-26! That’s 3 years in a row!
Music For All National Festival Send-Off Concert- Come join us TONIGHT AT 7PM for the final home performance of some amazing music before West Potomac heads off to Indianapolis to perform at the Music For All National Festival! All are invited (and encouraged) to attend this free performance! Invite friends, family, and future West Po band members!!
International Night Our amazing Black Student Union hosted and celebrated I-Night (International Night) at West Potomac High School. The students out did themselves highlighting their cultures and backgrounds. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication. Thank you Ms.Terry, our faculty sponsor and to student Nasir Funderburk for her fantastic pictures!
Principal Survey- On Monday, April 6, you will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity for you to share anonymous feedback on key aspects of our school, including:
- Instructional leadership
- School climate
- Management (human resources and organizational)
- Communication and community relations
- Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
- Professionalism
The questionnaire will be open April 6 - April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email from noreply@fcps.edu, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your feedback is important and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and participation.
Have a great, long weekend.
Jessica Statz, Principal
School News
WPHS Counselors are reaching out for your support with AP Exam administration! AP Exams run Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 15 with both AM (7:45-11:45) and PM (11:45-3:30) sessions. Volunteering to support testing does not entail administering the exam, but includes supporting our students and counselors during the exam. By utilizing parent/guardian volunteers, we will require less counselors in testing rooms which will allow them to continue to work with students during the school day. Please note that volunteers are restricted from supporting an exam their student is scheduled to take, as well as any AP content they may have taught in the past.
Should you have interest in serving as an AP Testing Volunteer, please sign up using the Sign-up Genius link here. We could not provide these testing opportunities to our students without your support and on behalf of the WPHS staff and students, we thank you for your time in advance!
- What is required of me? Volunteers are asked to arrive by approximately 7:45 am for the AM session and 11:45am for the PM session, and follow the directions of the lead proctor (School Counselor). This might include passing out tests, pencils and assisting with bathroom breaks. During the test you’ll supervise the students by circulating throughout the testing room. At the conclusion of the test you’ll assist the lead proctors in collecting materials.
- How long will the test run? Traditionally morning test will start at 8 am and end around 11 to 12 pm. PM exams will being around 12 pm and end from 3 to 4 pm.
- I can help with exams, but I would need to leave a few minutes early, can I still help? YES! Please email Taylor Oakley at tmoakley@fcps.edu if you have signed up for a session but are unable to fulfil the entire slot.
- Am I eligible? Adult Volunteers may not proctor a test their student is schedule to take, as well as any AP content they may have taught in the past.
PTSA News
- Mark your calendars, our final PTSA meeting of the year will be April 14 at 6:30 pm in the school library.
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Scholarship Opportunity: The Virginia PTA scholarship program is now open for applications. The due date for applications is April 1 and multiple $500 scholarships are awarded each year. Click HERE to learn more about this program and the requirements.
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Volunteer Opportunities: The PTSA is looking to fill two volunteer positions.1) News You Choose Coordinator: help gather info for PTSA updates and other committees who want to include their info in this weekly newsletter. This is an easy, low lift way to help out. Contact us at ptsa.westpotomac@gmail.com with questions. 2) Test Prep Chair: we love to be able to offer our test prep program to our students, but we need a new chair person who is willing to take over to ensure continued success! See the info below in the Test Prep section and contact Marilyn Aboff at marilynaboff@yahoo.com, if you'd like to learn more.
SENIOR NEWS
SENIOR TRIP: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Grad Nite. April 24th. Payment was due last Friday! Make sure your senior has registered at the following link: Trip Registration: Kaleidoscope Adventures.
PARENT CHAPERONES are needed, please contact Ms. Gervacio if you are able to help (agervacio@fcps.edu).
FINAL CLASS OF 2026 RESTAURANT NIGHT, March 24th- Our final restaurant night will be held at the Quander Road Five Guys on March 24th from 5-9pm. 20% of sales will be donated to our class. Come for dinner and support our seniors.
SENIOR DUES - Has your senior paid their senior dues? The $85 fee includes your student's cap/ gown/ tassel and end of year senior activities. You may pay at www.myschoolbucks.com or visit the finance office for cash or check payment. If you have a student receiving free or reduced school meals and have a Consent to Share form on file, please see Ms. Kinsey or Ms. Firesheets in the finance office for information on reduced dues.
SENIOR YARD SIGNS - Still interested in purchasing a Class of 2026 yard sign to celebrate your senior? We have placed our final order, available while supplies last.
LINK TO PURCHASE: https://westpotomacptsa.givebacks.com/sho
CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA and SCHOOL WEBSITE
Website: https://westpotomachs.fcps.edu/seniors-class-2026
JOIN our Instagram page! “WestPo2026”
https://www.instagram.com/westpo2026?igsh=MW15bTkyZzhvd282bg=
JOIN our Facebook page! “West Potomac HS-Class of 2026 Parents & Families"
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16grajRVw8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Senior Administrator:Brian Valentine (bvalentine@fcps.edu)
Senior Class Sponsors: Virginia Lintot (vmlintot@fcps.edu), Aimee Gervacio (agervacio@fcps.edu), Mariam Younossi (myounossi@fcps.edu)
Parents Committee Co-Chairs: Emily Wild (emilywild7717@gmail.com) and Sandy Forti (sandyforti@gmail.com)
Test Prep News!
Next Mock Test Dates 4/18 and 5/9/26 REGISTER HERE
Most students will show a strong preference for either the SAT or ACT format. This preference usually results in students naturally testing the SAT equivalent of 100 points higher on their preferred test. Sponsored by PTSA, mock tests are offered through Applerouth to help students determine their preferred format and establish baseline test scores – not to mention the benefits of practice. Sophomores can make their junior year less hectic by determining test preference late in their sophomore year!
Is Summer Test Prep a Good Fit?
There has been some interest in summer SAT test prep and, if there are at least 6 students who will enroll in the summer prep class, Applerouth is ready to add the class to West Po test prep events. If you are interested in a summer session, please contact PTSA Test Prep Chair Marilyn Aboff at marilynaboff@yahoo.com by April 3, 2026. See draft schedules below and state target official test date preference in interest email.
Rising Juniors, summer classes are perfect for those who are planning to pack their Junior year with AP classes and extra-curricular activities. Take some stress out of the year by prepping over summer and testing early fall of Junior year! Completion of Algebra 2 prior to taking the official test is a must.
Rising Seniors, summer prep is a great way to boost your score before the college applications are due!
Draft Summer Schedule Options:
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Prep for 8/22/26 official SAT, start 7/25 with sessions Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays or Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Usual start time 9am.
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Prep for 9/12/26 official SAT, start 8/1 with session Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays or Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Usual start time 9am. All sessions on Saturdays only starting 8/15/26.
News Articles from Applerouth:
Test Optional Colleges 2026: What the Class of 2030 Early Data Really Shows
Key Takeaways
- Many colleges remain test optional in 2026, but score submission is rising — especially in highly selective early pools.
- In competitive admissions environments (5–15% admit rates), strong SAT or ACT scores can strengthen positioning even when not required.
- Test optional policies create flexibility, but applying without scores may limit strategic options at top-tier institutions.
What Are Average SAT Scores — and What Do Colleges Really Want in 2026?
Key Takeaways
- “Average” SAT scores are less useful than a school’s middle 50% score range (25th–75th percentile).
- Test-optional policies can inflate reported averages because more students with strong scores submit.
- A “good” score is the one that is competitive for your target schools, alongside GPA and course rigor
Scholarships available through the College and Career Center
PTSA Test Prep Chair – Marilyn Aboff, marilynaboff@yahoo.com
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