Upcoming Events
October 15 - Mock Admissions Event
October 16 - Volleyball Dig Pink Game
October 19 - College Fair at Eagle Bank Arena
October 20 - Diwali
October 31 - End of Quarter 1
October 15 - Mock Admissions Event
Join us on October 15 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. This event is geared towards sophomore and junior families though all are welcome. Admissions representatives from 20 colleges will be present for a mini college fair followed by a mock admissions event to help families learn how admission reps evaluate different applications. There is NO registration required, just show up.
5:30 - 6:00 pm - Mini College Fair
6:00 - 7:00 pm - Mock Admissions Session
October 16 - Volleyball Dig Pink Game
The McLean Girls Volleyball team is calling on our community to help "PINK OUT THE GYM" on October 16 and raise awareness for breast cancer! This event is more than just a game—it's an opportunity for our community to come together, learn about a serious health risk, and support our student athletes. Bring your family and friends, wear your pink, and enjoy Freshman, JV, and Varsity girls volleyball along with fun and "fun"draising activities throughout the evening, including a bake sale. Let's fill the home stands and show our support! The games start at 4:45 pm, 6 pm, and 7 pm.
October 19 - College Fair at Eagle Bank Arena
Prepare for your student’s future at College Fair and Postsecondary Night. The annual FCPS College Fair will be held Sunday, October 19, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6 p.m. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies. Learn more about the College Fair and Virtual Postsecondary Night.
October 20 - Diwali
Monday, October 20, is a school holiday for Diwali and all schools and offices are closed. See the complete school year calendar.
October 31 - End of Quarter 1
Friday, October 31, is the last day of the 1st quarter. See the complete school year calendar. SIS StudentVue and ParentVue gradebook modules will not be available from Friday, October 31 @ 4:00pm through Monday, November 10 @ 6:00am.
Report cards are scheduled to be available to students and parents on the “Documents” tab in SIS ParentVue and StudentVue after Friday, November 7. Additionally, report cards will be mailed home to all families that have not opted to go paperless in SIS.
Student Achievement
Do you know a student, club, or team that has done something amazing? We want to hear about it! We're looking for accomplishments big or small to feature on the school website and in our weekly newsletter. Whether it's an academic achievement, an athletic victory, a creative project, or an act of community service, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible things happening at McLean. Please fill out our Google Form to submit an accomplishment.
Homecoming Week
Spirit Days
- Tuesday Oct. 14th - Country v. Country Club
- Wednesday Oct. 15th - Jersey Out
- Thursday Oct. 16th - Twin Day
- Friday Oct. 17th - Class Color Day
- Freshman: Gray/Silver
- Sophomores: White
- Juniors: Black
- Seniors: Red
Teacher v. Student Flag Football
On Wednesday October 15th come watch the brand new Flag Football Team take on teachers DURING HIGHLANDER TIME!
Bonfire
On Thursday Oct. 16th Come out for a spirited night at the bonfire on the practice softball field @ 6:00. All grades are welcome, s’mores fixings and pizza available while they last! Admission is free.
Homecoming Game
Come out to the Football Game on Friday night 10/17 at 7:00pm. The theme is Black Out. The Homecoming Court will be announced at halftime!
Homecoming Dance
The Homecoming Dance Saturday is Saturday Oct. 18th 8-11pm! The theme this year is GlowCo! Tickets for students are on sale now through e-tix. The QR code will be posted in the cafeteria, on the McLeadership Instagram account, grade level Schoology pages, outside of B175 and on the TV screens. Directions for purchasing tickets and bringing guests will be posted on all grade level Schoology pages.
Testing Information
World Language Credit by Exam
The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.
The 2025 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at McLean High School during the school day on Thursday, November 6th.Registration is now open and closes this Friday, October 17, at 3 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
More information, including the list of languages offered on the exam is available online. To register, please complete a registration form available here: https://www.fcps.edu/form/world-language-credit-exam-wlcbe-notification-and-registration-form and give the completed form to your student's school counselor in person or via email by Friday, October 17th at 3 p.m.
PSAT & SAT School Day Score Release
Students who participated in the Digital PSAT & SAT School Day on Wednesday, October 8th will be able to access their scores via their College Board account on October 23rd beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions about score reporting, please contact your counselor or Ms. Donlen.
2025-26 AP Test Opt-Out Timeline and Fees
As part of the FCPS Approved Budget, the fees for the first six AP tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s).
FCPS encourages all students to take AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s) by filling out an Opt-Out form that was distributed by your student's 5th period teacher on Tuesday, September 29th. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP course enrollment.
AP students must make Opt-Out decisions by October 31st. Parents/Guardians will be billed a $99 non-refundable test fee for AP exams in December 2025 for tests that exceed the six FCPS-funded tests. All Opt-Out forms are due to the box located in Student Services by October 31st. When a student turns in their form, they must sign their name on the list acknowledging their Opt-Out form has been turned in.
2026 AP Testing
Reference the College Board 2026 AP exam dates site for dates of AP Exams. If you have any questions or need an AP Opt-Out form reprinted please contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen at ekdonlen@fcps.edu.
Student Services
Paperless Report Cards
We’re excited to offer you a more convenient option for receiving your child’s report cards: Go Paperless!
By choosing to go paperless, you'll be able to:
-
Access report cards directly in ParentVUE with just a few clicks.
-
Reduce wait time in seeing your child’s report card.
Here's how you can opt-in:
- Log into ParentVUE, click on "My Account," and select “Go Paperless.”
- All parents/guardians living with the student at the same address must have an active SIS ParentVUE account to opt-in.
- Once selected, the “Go Paperless” option will apply to all associated students, no matter their grade level.
- If you’ve already opted for paperless for your secondary students, it will automatically apply to any younger siblings at the elementary level too!
Mock Admissions Event - October 15th
FAFSA
2026-2027 FAFSA Form Now Open
Federal Student Aid has released the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened, but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to help complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.
Expunging High School Courses Taken in Middle School (9th Graders Only)
Parents of current 9th grade students who completed a high school credit bearing course (World Languages, Algebra, and Geometry) in the 2024-25 standard school year may request the final grades for these courses be omitted from your student’s transcript. You must submit a Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School form to McLean High School Student Services, after the course is completed and prior to October 31, 2025. This form may be obtained at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf
Please reach out to your student’s school counselor with any questions.
 In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Overperforms State and Global SAT Averages
- October Community Boundary Review Meetings
- Online Activity Reports for Students
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
McLean PTSA
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
Register for Volunteer FCPS
Your time supports our students in powerful ways. Help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
Weekly Reminders
McLean HS Tech Support for Students | 
