Seniors and Families,

We are excited to share that the Class of 2027 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 3 at 9:00am at EagleBank Arena. Please mark your calendars and share this important date with family and friends. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2027!

As we look ahead to graduation, we also want to make sure our seniors take advantage of the opportunities available this year to prepare for what comes next.

On Wednesday, October 7, Annandale High School seniors will have the opportunity to take the SAT during the school day at no cost. FCPS will cover the fee for any senior who chooses to participate. To reserve a seat, students must complete the SAT School Day Intent Form by Wednesday, September 2. Students must log in using their @fcpsschools.net email account to access and submit the form. For more information about the test format, visit the College Board SAT School Day website.

Annandale students also have access to free Kaplan online PSAT and SAT preparation resources through October 31. Students can get started by visiting FCPS Kaplan and logging in with their FCPS username and password. We encourage seniors to take advantage of this resource as they prepare for the October 7 SAT.

We will share the exam day schedule and additional details as we get closer to test day. If you have questions about SAT School Day, please contact our College and Career Specialist and SAT School Day Coordinators, Viri Acosta or Meg Anderson.

We are excited for all that lies ahead for the Class of 2027. As always, please reach out if there is anything we can do to support you throughout your senior year.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

College & Career Events at Annandale HS

Now through October 31 - Kaplan PSAT & SAT Prep Access: Annandale students now have access to Kaplan online PSAT and SAT preparation resources. To get started, students should log in at https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan using their FCPS username and password. Access will remain available through October 31, giving students a valuable opportunity to prepare for multiple SAT administrations as well as the October PSAT.

September 14 - College Visits Begin in College & Career Center: Beginning September 14, Our College & Career Center will host visits from representatives for colleges and universities throughout the country. Students will have the opportunity to hear from college admissions representatives to learn what makes their institution unique, admission requirements, financial aid, and more. Students must log into Naviance to register. Click on "Colleges" at the top of the page and then click on "college visits." Click "register now" for the visits you would like to attend. Once you have signed up, you should receive a confirmation email. Passes will be delivered to your first class (R1/W2) the morning of the scheduled visit. If you do not have a first class you may pick up your pass from the Career Center (Room 103). Open to grades 10-12. Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry.

September 23 - Senior Parent Night, 6-8pm: As senior year begins, it's the perfect time for students to start planning for life after high school. Join us on Wednesday, September 23 for an informative evening dedicated to exploring a variety of postsecondary pathways. Whether you're considering a four-year university, community college, trade school, or the military, this event offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about your options and begin shaping your future. Breakout sessions will be offered for each pathway, along with a session on financial aid for students. Students and parents are encouraged to attend.

October 7 - SAT Day at Annandale: Annandale High School will offer seniors the opportunity to take the SAT for free during the school day on October 7. Students must sign up in advance. Stay tuned for more information. General information about the SAT School Day test format is available on the College Board webpage. 

October 18 - FCPS College Fair, 4-6pm: The annual FCPS College Fair is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, and will take place at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena from 4:00 to 6:00pm. This highly anticipated event brings together representatives from approximately 200 colleges and universities from across the country. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a wide variety of institutions, including two-year and four-year colleges, public and private universities, and U.S. Service Academies. More information can be found here.

October 19 - FCPS Virtual Postsecondary Night: FCPS will be offering a series of virtual workshops designed to support students and families as they navigate the college admissions process. These sessions will cover a wide range of important topics, including how to prepare and apply for college, understanding and securing financial aid, and exploring various postsecondary educational pathways such as community college, vocational training programs, and military options. To view FCPS previous recordings with this information, click here.

October 19-23 - Virginia College Application Week (VCAW): During the week of October 20–24, students will have an opportunity to take advantage of College Application Week. Throughout this week, students can receive college application fee waivers for most Virginia colleges and universities, helping to reduce the financial burden of applying to multiple schools. In addition to the fee waivers, support will be available in the Career Center during all lunch periods, where counselors will be on hand to answer questions, review application materials, and guide students through the submission process. Please remember that fee waivers are only valid if your application is submitted during this designated week.

November 4, December 1, and January 21 - Financial Aid Completion Workshops: Annandale High School will host a College Financial Aid Workshop on November 1, December 1 and January 21 from 5:30-7:30pm where students and their families can receive hands-on assistance with completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the VASA (Virginia Alternative State Aid) application for undocumented students. Note: Students and Parents should bring their 2026 federal income tax returns.

Preparing for College Videos

Whether you are just getting started or looking for guidance on specific parts of the process, the recordings below are a great resource to guide you along the way.

Paying for College: Overview of the financial aid process (Bonnie Horowitz, College Access Fairfax)

Exploring Naviance Student: How Naviance helps with goal setting, college/career planning (Mary Lewis and Steve Myers, FCPS Academic & Career Planning Specialists)

Considerations for Students with Disabilities: Differences in accommodations between high school and college (Naomi Martinez-Jones, Disability Services Director at George Mason & Sarah Bake, FCPS Career and Transition Specialist)

Standardized Testing: Role of ACT/SAT in college admissions (Susan Rexford, Director of College Guidance at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School)

Scholarship 101: How to find and apply for scholarships (Bonnie Horowitz, College Access Fairfax)

NOVA: The Community College Option: Benefits, application process, transfer pathways (Collyn Alford, NOVA Recruitment Coordinator)

Are You Common App Ready?: Guidance on using the Common App effectively (Jameia Tennie, Common App Director of Student Engagement Programs)

NOVA: La Opción del Colegio Comunitario: NOVA overview in Spanish (Sandra Delgado, NOVA Coordinadore de Acercamiento y Reclutamiento)

NOVA Certificates & Workforce Development: Alternative career pathways, certifications, and financial aid options (Jennifer Merrill, NOVA Student Services Manager)