Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

It was great to see so many of you at Back to School Night last Thursday. This is one of my favorite events of the year. I love to see our families connect with teachers, learn more about what is happening in classrooms, and spend time together as a community.

As we move through September, our students are finding more ways to get involved. This past week, students had the opportunity to explore our many clubs and activities at the Activities Fair. These opportunities to build relationships and find a place to belong are an important part of the Annandale experience.

There is plenty more to look forward to in the weeks ahead. Our fall sports and activities are in full swing, college visits have begun, and Homecoming is right around the corner. Homecoming Week will culminate with our pep rally and football game against Justice on Friday, October 2, followed by the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 3. I encourage our students to get involved and show their school spirit.

As I often say, the Annandale community is truly special. Whether it is in the classroom, on the field, through a club or activity, or at one of our community events, our students are at their best when they feel connected, supported, and proud to be an Atom.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

Now through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 21 - Yom Kippur (No School)
September 23 - PTSA Pantry Distribution
September 23 - Senior Parent Night, 6pm
September 23 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving, 6:30pm
September 28-October 2 - Homecoming Week
September 29 - W4 Activities Day
October 2 - Homecoming Pep Rally
October 2 - Homecoming Football Game
October 3 - Homecoming Dance
October 5 - PRIDE Time and ASAP Begin
October 5 - Atoms Athletics Booster Club Meeting
October 7 - SAT, PSAT, ASVAB Testing Day
October 7 - Early Release, 12:55pm
October 9 - Social and Emotional Learning Screener
October 13 - PTSA Meeting
October 16 - Underclassmen Picture Makeups/Retakes
October 18 - FCPS College Fair
June 3 - Class of 2027 Graduation, 9am 

Now through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month: Fairfax County Public Schools and Annandale High School proudly celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community members. This month honors individuals whose heritage is rooted in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America — recognizing their enduring impact on our school, our community, and our country.

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.

September 23 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving: To get your driver’s license in Virginia, you must successfully pass the classroom portion of driver education. You must also attend a 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety program, Partners for Safe Teen Driving, or PSTD, with a parent/guardian. Annandale High School is hosting our first PSTD presentations on September 23. It is free to students enrolled in Health & PE 10 at Annandale HS and begins at 6:30pm in the auditorium. You must attend with a parent/guardian, arrive ON TIME, and remain the duration of the presentation for your attendance to be verified. Register here (must use fcpsschools.net account). If you have any questions, please contact Lizzie McManus.

September 28- October 2 - Homecoming Spirit Week: Students and staff are encouraged to show their spirit by dressing in each day’s theme. 

Monday: Slumber on Mt. Olympus (Pajama Day)

Tuesday: Olympic Games (Jersey Day)

Wednesday: Touch of Midas (Wear Gold or Yellow)

Thursday: Clash of the Doppelgängers (Twin Day)

Friday: Clash of the Greek Gods (Class Colors): Freshmen: Gray, Sophomores: Black, Juniors: Red, Seniors: White

October 2 - Homecoming Pep Rally: Our fall pep rally will be held Friday, October 2. We will follow a special white day pep rally schedule. Students will be released from class at 1:55pm to attend the single pep rally in the stadium from 2:10-2:55pm. Students will be dismissed from school immediately following the pep rally.

October 3 - Homecoming Dance: A Night in Athens: Step into an enchanted Greek evening on Saturday, October 3rd from 8:00-11:00pm. Gather under the moonlit sky for a magical night of music, dancing, and timeless glamour with friends. Leadership is actively seeking faculty and staff to help bring this historic evening to life; if you are available to assist for all or part of the night, please sign up using this form.

October 7 - SAT, PSAT and ASVAB Testing Day: On Wednesday, October 7, Annandale High School will administer several important assessments at no cost to families. Students in grades 10 and 11 will take the digital PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). All seniors will take either the digital SAT School Day exam or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

Seniors who did not register for the SAT will automatically be scheduled to take the ASVAB. In addition to measuring skills for potential military careers, the ASVAB provides students with a personalized score report that can help them identify their strengths and explore possible career paths. Additional information about testing schedules will be shared in the coming weeks.

Because of testing, October 7 will be an unscheduled day for most ninth-grade students. Students are encouraged to use the day to complete missing assignments and prepare for the end of the first quarter. Ninth-grade students with disabilities who receive low-incidence special education services will attend school for in-person instruction and be released two hours early. Families may learn more about the SAT and PSAT assessments on the FCPS website.

Awesome Atoms

Annandale Theatre Company Announces Romeo and Juliet Cast: Last week, the Annandale Theatre Company held auditions for its upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. We were impressed by the talent of everyone who auditioned and are excited to announce the cast list. Please congratulate our student performers, and mark your calendars to see the show November 19-21!

Important Information

Family Life Education Opt-Out Information: FCPS provides Family Life Education (FLE) instruction to students in grades 9-12. Parents and guardians have the right to review the FLE curriculum and instructional materials and may choose to excuse their student from all or part of FLE instruction. Opt-out forms for students in general education classes are available through Parent Digital Consent (PDC). Families can review grade-level curriculum information, instructional materials, and opt-out information on the FCPS Family Life Education webpage.

Signs of Suicide Prevention Program: The teen years are marked by a rollercoaster ride of emotions that may be difficult for teens, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil, however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates double. The FCPS Signs of Suicide Wellness Lessons and Screenings for Grade 9 will take place on the following dates: September 23, and October 1. Grade 11 will take place in November. Families of these grade levels received a targeted notification with lesson and screening goals, as well as opt out procedures. Please contact Erin Crowley with any questions.

October 9 - Social and Emotional Learning Screener: One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener. The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in the Digital Parental Consent App. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. Families recently received an e-notify with hard copy opt-out forms as well. Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey.

Ensure Your Student Has Access To School Resources: Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Every Student! We are excited to announce that all Annandale students will receive free breakfast and lunch every day of the school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This USDA program ensures that every student, regardless of their family's income level, can enjoy nutritious meals at no cost. The meal service will remain the same as other schools, with a la carte items available for purchase. Check out the menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.

Note: Even though all students receive free meals, families who may qualify for additional benefits, such as waivers for lab fees, summer school tuition, and more, should still complete the Consent to Share form. Visit FCPS Free and Reduced Priced Meals website for more information.

Reporting Student Attendance: Regular attendance is essential for student success. Research shows that absenteeism in the first month of school often predicts poor attendance for the rest of the year—half of the students who miss 2–4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. To help your student get the most out of their education, please make sure they are in school and on time every day.

If your student must be absent, please notify the school by calling the attendance line at 703-642-4151. Families also have the option to submit full-day absences directly through SIS ParentVUE. Step-by-step instructions are available on the Attendance page.

Supporting Students Getting to Class On-Time: As part of our commitment to ensure our students are accessing high quality instruction and arriving to all their classes on time, every day, we will be implementing our Start on Time tardy sweep stations during every class transition. Students who are still in the hallways after the late bell will be escorted to their classes, where teachers will update their attendance accordingly. If students are arriving late to school with a note from a parent/guardian to explain their tardiness, they should report to the Attendance Office.

Opportunities

Thursday College Application Workshops: Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm in F151 in the art hallway, AVID teachers and students will be assisting students with various topics: Making a College List; Transcript Request Form; Common App; Recommendation Requests. Students are welcome to drop in with questions about any aspect of the process.

Visit the AHS Library! The AHS Library welcomes you! No pass is needed to visit before school (7:45-8:10am), during Second Chance Breakfast, or after school until 3:15pm. Passes to use the library during the lunch block are available every day in the library before school and during Second Chance Breakfast. We look forward to seeing you! For any questions, please contact Jessica Bombardier. 

Atoms Writing Center Opening Soon! The Atoms Writing Center will reopen the first week of October to help students with academic writing, including college essays and supplemental questions. We will also be hosting a College Essay Workshop with College and Career Specialist Ms. Acosta during Pride Time on Tuesday, October 20, which you can register for on Naviance. Join our school-wide info page on Schoology (access code: 9MSF-KSDM-B7HCP) to keep up-to-date on our other writing workshops, events, and tutoring availability.

Nominate AHS to Win a Teacher’s Lounge Makeover! The Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room are awarding two K-12 public schools a Teachers' Lounge Makeover valued at $10,000 each! It’s simple to enter by using the form below to nominate your favorite school(s)! Adults 18+ may enter any K-12 public school. So, go ahead, get that entry form completed and give your favorite school a chance to win!

Silent Space for Prayer & Reflection: The Annandale High School Reflection and Silent Space is available in the library for students who need to pray, meditate, or engage in silent reflection. This space is inclusive of all students’ religious and non-religious beliefs. Students may access the Reflection and Silent Space before school, after school, and during lunch. Students who need to access this space during class time will need to have the Parent/Guardian Authorization for Reflection Space Access form completed and submitted to the main office. Forms are available in the main office and the library. Students will receive a laminated prayer room pass once their form is turned in and they are added to the list. The teachers of students who have parent permission to access the prayer room will be contacted directly.

Monitor Your Student's Classwork in Schoology: Schoology is where teachers post class materials, assignments, and important updates. Parents can use Schoology to view their student's classes, upcoming assignments, and school or class announcements. To access Schoology, parents need an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Learn more about how to log in and use Schoology.

Free 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.

News from Students Services

FAFSA Opens October 1: The 2027–28 FAFSA is scheduled to open October 1, 2026. All college-bound seniors seeking federal, state, or school financial aid should complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid website for deadlines and required forms. The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is expected to open in late January for students unable to complete the FAFSA. Visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website for guidance on which application to use.

Annandale High School will host College Financial Aid Workshops on November 4, December 1, and January 21, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Students and their families can receive hands-on assistance completing their financial aid applications. In addition, College Access Fairfax will visit Annandale High School on Fridays during all lunch periods beginning in November and December to support students. They will also offer FAFSA/VASA and scholarship programs, along with virtual one-on-one assistance. To request an appointment, email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.

Senior Planning & Support: Our counselors are helping seniors get a strong start on planning for life after Annandale. During W4, counselors are visiting senior classes to share important information about postsecondary planning, college applications, financial aid, and other opportunities. Beginning earlier this month, seniors have begun to meet individually with their counselor to review graduation requirements and begin discussing their specific college, career, and life plans. Families are invited to learn more at Senior Parent Night on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00pm, where we will share information and resources to help students navigate their senior year and prepare for what comes next.

College & Career Planning Site: Check out College and Career Resources Site, which offers a variety of postsecondary planning resources including the college application process, community college, military and trade pathways, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. The Career Center also shares updates about new college and career opportunities through Naviance. These updates generate an email, so be sure to check your email regularly for the latest information.

Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE: Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents should receive an activation code when they register their student. Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Class of 2027 News

Annandale is Here to Support Your Senior Year College Journey! Annandale High School is committed to partnering with students and families as they navigate the college application process. Check out our recent Class of 2027 Newsletter that includes valuable resources, events, and personalized assistance to help seniors and families plan for life after high school with confidence.

News from the Activities Office

At Annandale, we foster belonging both inside and outside the classroom. Sports and activities are another way for students to deepen a sense of belonging at school. Check out their weekly newsletter to learn more about Annandale's activities, clubs, and sports programs. You can also visit their website or Instagram page.

Purchase a Red Card: Each fall, our sports programs sell a discount “Red Card” to raise money for their teams. The red cards include various discounts at local businesses including: Buffalo Wild Wings, Glory Days, Hangry Joes, Jet’s Pizza, Jiffy Lube, Kilroy’s, and Wingstop. Red Cards are only $20 and can be used at any of the businesses through October 2027. If you would like to purchase a Red Card, please reach out to a fall athlete or email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities. The Activities Office thanks you in advance for your support of our student athletes. Go Atoms!

Atoms Booster All-Season Passes Are Back: Support our Atoms and enjoy a full year of Annandale athletics with an Atoms Booster All-Season Pass! The Atoms Pass provides general admission to all regular season home football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and wrestling events. With nine sports included, it is a great way to cheer on our student-athletes throughout the year while supporting Annandale Athletics.

Passes for the 2026-27 school year are $80 for adults and $40 for students. Parking passes are also available for $30. The Atoms Athletic Boosters are transitioning to digital passes this year, with additional details coming soon. Purchase your Adult Pass or Student Pass today!

October 5 - Atoms Athletics Booster Club Meeting: The Atoms Athletics Booster Club will hold their next meeting of the 2026-2027 school year on Monday, September 14 at 6:30pm. Please join us in person or online and hear more about how the Atoms Boosters supports all the athletic programs at Annandale. Meetings will be held October 5, *November 2, December 7, January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, and June 7. Click here to join virtually *Date subject to change due to teacher workday.