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The countdown is officially on! We are just weeks away from the start of the 2026–2027 school year on Monday, August 24th, and the entire Oakton High School faculty and staff are incredibly excited to welcome our students and families back.
Our team has been hard at work all summer planning, organizing, and preparing to ensure a smooth, successful, and engaging transition for everyone. Grounded in our core values of Community, Integrity, and Respect, our priority is creating a welcoming environment where every Cougar feels supported, connected, and ready to thrive from day one.
Please find all the essential Back to School information on our website to help you prepare for August 24th! This is also linked on Oakton High School website’s homepage for you to access at any time.
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.
August 12 - Parking Applications due, 3 pm
August 20 - Schedules available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE at 9 am
August 20 - New Student Orientation; Open House; Cougar Kickoff
August 24 - First day of School!
August 26-31 - Senior Portraits
August 28 - Senior Sunrise
September 1 - Back to School Night
September 3 - Gradebooks available in StudentVUE/ParentVUE at 9 am
September 4 - No School (Labor Day Break)
September 7 - No School (Labor Day)
September 21 – No School, Yom Kippur
September 23-24 – Underclassmen Portraits (through English classes)
October 2 - Senior Panoramic
October 5-8 - Senior Portraits
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 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
FCPS Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
Dear Oakton Families,
Last week, I shared how hard our team was working behind the scenes to prepare for a season of growth grounded in our core values: Community, Integrity, and Respect. This past week, that preparation truly came to life!
Our building was filled with incredible energy and excitement as we welcomed some of our newest students from the Class of 2030 for Jumpstart. At the same time, the official kickoff of fall sports and activities had our school buzzing with action. From student-athletes giving their all on the fields and in the gym during tryouts, to the energizing sounds of our marching band rehearsing. These sights and sounds brought me so much joy and served as a reminder that high school is made up of remarkable, life-changing experiences.
Thank you for your continued partnership, patience, and energy as we build momentum toward an incredible school year.
Take care... and Go Cougars!
General Information
Summer Office Hours
For the next two weeks through Friday, August 21, the Oakton HS Main Office will be open from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Starting on the first day of school, Monday, August 24, the Main Office will be open from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm.
We do recommend a call in advance of your visit to ensure that we have the appropriate staff members available to address your concern as many staff members are off contract during the summer.
Registration
For families new to Oakton High School looking to register, please fill out information found on our website at https://oaktonhs.fcps.edu/student-services/new-student-registration
After you submit the form, you will be contacted by our Registrar, Mr. Patrick Chang, to schedule a registration appointment. We encourage you to submit the form as soon as possible so we can schedule your appointment!
New Requirement for Student Device Use During the School Day
Starting this school year, students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.
Students may only use their personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families
Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
Save the Date - Summer 2026 and Back to School 2026
We are already planning for this summer and our upcoming school year!
Please visit the announcement on our website about Save the Date for 2026 events for information about:
- Senior Portraits
- Activities (including band camp) and athletics summer dates to know
- Jump Start for rising 9th graders (optional)
- Orientation and Cougar Kickoff
- Parking
- Back to School Night
- Homecoming 2026
Parking Applications for the 2026-2027 School Year are due this Wednesday by 3 pm
We are now accepting parking applications from juniors and seniors. All applications are due by 3:00pm on Wednesday, August 12. Please find the application and more information on our website if you search for “parking” - Parking Applications for the 2026-2027 School Year.
Prior to Cougar Kickoff, students will receive an email letting them know if they have received a parking pass. All fees and fines must be resolved prior to being able to pick up a parking pass, and students received an email with information about any outstanding obligations on August 10.
Meals for Students Available Through August 21
No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Clinic Information
Welcome from our health room!
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Division’s primary goal is to promote the health and well-being of school-aged children. The School Health Division consists of Public Health Nurses (PHNs), School Health Aides (SHAs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), who provide various services to support this goal. PHNs create individualized health plans for students with complex health conditions and train school staff to help meet these needs during the school day. Meanwhile, SHAs and LPNs provide direct care to sick and injured students by following standardized protocols or health plans. They also administer medications and conduct vision and hearing screenings.
Full details about our Health Room can be found on our website under “clinic.”
Football Game Safety and Security Update
As we prepare for another exciting fall sports season, FCPS is implementing additional safety and security measures at all varsity football games.
Beginning this season, all spectators will participate in security screening using the same weapons detection technology introduced in our high schools last school year. A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe, efficient entry process for everyone attending our games. The following items are prohibited:
- Backpacks
- Purses
- Fanny packs
- Tote bags
- Outside food and beverages
- Sporting equipment (balls, bats, sticks, etc.)
- Any item prohibited by FCPS policy, or determined by event staff to present safety concerns
Approved bags are limited to:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12”x6”x12”
- Small clutch bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
- Medical and diaper bags permitted but subject to inspection
As a reminder, middle school students and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult who remains with the student(s) at the event.
These enhancements are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment while allowing families, students, and community members to enjoy Friday night football. We encourage attendees to arrive a little earlier than usual to allow time for screening.
Testing Information
Updated on 8/3/26
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT 2026
SAT Information
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Oakton 12th graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day, at no cost to families. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day. Twelfth graders must register to take this exam by Wednesday, September 2.
Please visit our PSAT/SAT page for registration information for the SAT School Day.
PSAT Information
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Oakton will administer the digital PSAT/NMSQT to all students in grades 10 and 11, at no cost to families.. Students are automatically registered, and no additional action is required.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learner Supports
Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or multilingual learner (ML) supports. If you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the accommodations request process and return forms to our school by Monday, August 3, to request new or updated College Board testing accommodations.
If you have a multilingual learner (ML) entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the ML support request process and return forms by Thursday, August 28, if you wish to request ML supports for the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day.
Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS
Student Services
Class Schedule Change Requests
We have finalized our schedule for the upcoming school year. Students and families across FCPS will have access to student schedules in StudentVue/ParentVue on Thursday, August 20, at 9:00am.
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 will be limited to space available.
Timeline for Schedule Changes
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August 6-13: Schedules will be adjusted if there is a school error or summer school adjustment needed.
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August 14-September 11: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor.
Health and Wellness Updates
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