Annandale Students, Families, and Community,

A couple of years ago, our staff came together to reflect on a powerful study featured in The Opportunity Myth. Researchers followed nearly 4,000 students across five diverse school systems and discovered something unexpected: many students earning As and Bs were not actually prepared for life after high school. The reason? They simply were not being given enough opportunities to tackle challenging, grade-level work.

Why is this so important? Because when students were given access to strong instruction and rigorous, engaging assignments, they caught up with their peers by nearly eight months. That is the power of high expectations and high quality instruction.

At Annandale, our teachers bring this to life every day. They hold students to high standards, create opportunities for deep engagement, and design learning that prepares students for the real world. 

We are seeing the results of that commitment, not only in our SOL scores, but also in our IB program. Ten years ago, just 29 students earned the IB Diploma at Annandale—ranking us 6th among the 8 FCPS schools offering the program. Today, we are 3rd, trailing only Robinson and Marshall. That growth is not by chance—it is the result of our strong belief in what our students are capable of achieving and our systematic approach to support the academic, social, and emotional needs of our diverse student population.

As a result of this shared commitment, Annandale students are not only being accepted into prestigious colleges and universities across the country—they are thriving there. More importantly, they are entering the world beyond high school confident, capable, and prepared to succeed. Their achievements reflect the strength of our staff, the support of our community, and the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to rise to their full potential.

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Finish Strong!

End of Year Attendance Requirements: The last day of school for underclass students is Wednesday, June 11. With SOL and IB testing in full swing, there is still much going on in our classrooms. Teachers and teams are continuing to plan high quality instruction that will prepare students to be successful not only on final exams, but in the coming years. In some cases, students are working on certifications or other requirements for graduation. All students are expected to attend school each day to complete these activities and finish the year strong.

June 5-11, school will be held from 8:10-11:25am. During this time, students will complete their end of course exams. These culminating activities assess students’ mastery of the standards and skills they have been learning throughout the year.

Final Exams: In each class, the final exam or culminating activity counts for 10% of a student’s grade, regardless of the impact on the final grade. Per FCPS policy, a student whose absence from the final examination or activity is unexcused will receive an F for that examination. Exceptions to this must be approved by the principal. Final exams are not eligible for retakes.

It is important for students to recognize the impact their final exams will have on their grades, and take steps to prepare so they can do their best. In W4 Advisory, we held one-on-one check-ins with each student, reviewing their current grades, and helping them create a plan to prepare.

Now - May 30 - SOL and IB Testing: SOL and IB has begun! Here is the link to the detailed IB Testing calendar with arrival time and test duration. Note: IB does not offer make-up exams. SOL testing will continue through May 30. Check out the detailed testing calendar. Students and families receive email notification of test schedules. Students will also receive email reminders the day before their scheduled test. Please encourage students to check their email to find their test information. If you have any questions about your student’s testing schedule, please contact Meg Anderson.

Important Dates

May 20 - ASVAB Testing
May 20 - Dance Team Clinic
May 20 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
May 22-23 - Broadway Desserts, 7pm
May 22-28 - Senior Exams
May 23 - Student of the Month Celebration
May 26 - Memorial Day (No School)
May 27 - All Athletes Celebration, 6pm
May 28 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
May 29 - Final Late Bus Day
May 29 - All Athletes End-of-Year Celebration
May 29 - Senior Sunset, 7pm
May 30 - Senior Awards Ceremony, 10:00am
June 2 - Athletic Physical Exams

May 20 - Career Exploration Opportunity - Sign Up to Take the ASVAB! The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a free career exploration assessment that helps students identify their strengths and explore career options in fields like skilled trades, healthcare, technology, and the military. This test isn’t just for those considering military service—it’s a valuable tool for any student looking to understand their skills and plan for life after high school. Plus, students who earn a qualifying score will receive the Career Readiness Medal to wear at graduation. The ASVAB will be offered during school on May 20, so sign up today! For questions, see Ms. Acosta, College & Career Specialist. Sign up to take the ASVAB today!

May 20 – Dance Team Clinic: Interested in joining the Annandale Dance Team? Come to our clinic on May 20 in the dance room to get a head start! You'll learn key routines, techniques, and everything you need to know to prepare for tryouts in August. Questions? Contact Dorothy Edwards for more information.

May 20 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00pm in the library. Spanish translation will be available. If you can't attend in person, consider joining us virtually on Zoom. The link will be active 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

May 22 & 23 - Broadway Desserts, 7pm: Broadway Desserts will feature all five of the AHS Choirs performing songs from the stage and is a Broadway Review of sorts. Both group and individual acts will be featured from auditions held earlier in the semester. The students prepare the music, pick their costumes and coordinate their choreography for a fantastic evening of entertainment. Please join us on either Thursday, May 22 or Friday, May 23 at 7:00pm in Watson Auditorium! Get your tickets here!

May 22-28 - Senior Exams: Seniors will take their Senior Exams during their regularly scheduled class periods on May 22-28. Here is the full exam schedule: May 22: R5 & R7; May 23: W6 & W8; May 27: R1 & R3; May 28: W2.

May 26 - Memorial Day (No School): All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

May 29 - All Athletes End-of-Year Celebration: All Annandale student-athletes and their families are invited to our annual All Athletes End-of-Year Celebration on Thursday, May 29 at 6:00pm in the Annandale Auditorium. This special evening is dedicated to reflecting on the year, recognizing the hard work and achievements of our athletic programs, and celebrating the dedication of our student-athletes. Business casual attire is encouraged. Following the ceremony, guests are welcome to enjoy dessert and drinks in the auditorium lobby as we wrap up the season with some well-deserved mingling and celebration.

Awesome Atoms

Guitar Concert Showcases Global Sounds: This past Monday, the Annandale High School Guitar Ensembles took the stage for an evening of music that spanned the globe. Students performed a variety of solo and ensemble pieces featuring music from Japan, Russia, Spain, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States. The concert highlighted the talent and dedication of our guitar students and brought the community together to celebrate diverse musical traditions. Bravo to all who performed!

Celebrating the Class of 2025 on Senior Decision Day: Annandale High School recently celebrated Senior Decision Day, recognizing the many exciting paths our seniors will take after graduation. Whether heading to a four-year university, community college, the military, workforce, or taking a gap year, each student was celebrated for their unique journey. Held in the senior courtyard during all lunch periods, the event featured music, snacks, and plenty of photo ops, creating a fun and memorable moment for the Class of 2025.

AHS Hosts Community Yard Sale & Craft Show: On Saturday, Annandale High School held our Community Yard Sale & Craft Show—and it was a fantastic day of connection, creativity, and community spirit. Alongside yard sale treasures, student entrepreneurs showcased their talents with handmade crafts, original artwork, baked goods, and more. It was inspiring to see so many students take pride in their work and share it with the community. The event brought together students, families, and neighbors for a fun and meaningful experience. A big thank you to Sarah Henken for her incredible effort in organizing the event.

End of Year Mentoring Program Ice Cream Social: At Annandale, our Mentoring program focuses on pairing staff, community members, and students with like interests to build and cultivate positive relationships. Mentors check-in with their mentees on a weekly basis to help connect to school and navigate challenges. This past week, we wrapped up another amazing year of our mentoring program with an Ice Cream Social! Mentors and mentees came together to celebrate their connections, share laughs, and enjoy a variety of sweet treats.

Important Information

SOL Retake Support: At Annandale, we are proud that we have many systems in place to support our students. To that end, when students do not pass their first-attempt SOLs, we double down on our academic support during class time and through PRIDE Time and ASAP to ensure students are successful with additional testing opportunities. Students who qualify for a retake (and their families) will receive an email with information about the retake date as well as the additional support we will provide. Please reach out to your student’s teachers with any questions you may have.

Personalized Student Progress Reports: Last week, families received a personalized student progress report email which includes students’ grades as well as any academic interventions or supports the student is receiving. In that email, we also provide ways families can support their student, including sitting with them to check and discuss their progress, as well as some guiding questions to talk about school. You can also view your student's grades by logging into SIS ParentVUE. If you have questions about a particular class, please reach out to the teacher. Their email address can be found on our staff directory or in ParentVue.

Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year: Annandale High School students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass. Complete the application and return it to our front office. Our students can ride Metrobus for free, in addition to the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes. Complete the application and return it to Student Services. 

Class of 2025 News: Graduation is quickly approaching and we wanted to share important information and dates that will assist seniors, parents and community members in preparing and planning for the end of the school year. Last week we sent out important information in our latest Class of 2025 Newsletter. If you have any questions about upcoming senior events, please contact our senior class sponsors, Steven Zaret, Prarthana Purohit, Stefanie Kline, Stuart Converse or our senior class administrator, Jae Lee.

Opportunities

Earn Credit Toward Graduation This Summer: Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 6. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students. Summer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. This is a self-directed course where students work independently. The course is available between Monday, June 23, and Friday, July 25. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, May 23. For more information, visit this Summer Learning page.

All Night Grad Tickets On Sale Now! We’re excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for this year’s All Night Grad Celebration. This event is a safe and fun place for your kids to enjoy a night out. This is adult supervised and volunteer run by Annandale High School PTSA and parents. This year the event takes place on June 4, beginning at 11pm, Doors will close at Midnight. The cost is $45 with prices increasing to $60 at the door. The evening will feature delicious food, games, DJ, and top-notch entertainment—there’s something for everyone to enjoy! *Discounted tickets are also available for students in need. If your child would like to apply, they can speak directly to their school counselor. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate in a welcoming and secure environment. Get your tickets now! To make this event a success, we need your help! Sign up to volunteer here. Email Rheanna Bernard with any questions.

News from Student Services

Wellness Wednesdays for Mental Health Awareness Month: There will be programming focused on wellness and self care strategies available to students on May 21 in the Parent Resource Center during all lunch periods. A short lesson on a mental health topic will be presented (3-5 minutes) and then students will be welcome to engage in worksheets based on the topic, infographics, or to just utilize fidgets and other coping mechanisms in a calming space.

Hazel Health - Virtual Therapy for High School Students: Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7am-7pm Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage

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. To learn more about Annandale's program, check out this week’s “Atoms Athletics and Activities Newsletter." In addition, learn more about Annandale High School Athletics and Activities by visiting their website, AHS Athletics Twitter or Instagram page.

Save the Date! June 2 - Athletic Physical Exams: On Monday, June 2, Annandale High School will host an opportunity for student-athletes to complete their Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE) for the 2025-26 academic year. This exam will ensure eligibility for all sports through June 30, 2026. The event also serves as the primary fundraiser for the Annandale Athletic Training Program, which relies entirely on donations to cover essential medical supplies and equipment. Your support makes a tremendous difference for our athletes and trainers!

Appointments will run from 5:30 to 7:30pm, and slots are expected to fill quickly, so don’t wait. Walk-in exams are $60; however, if you pre-register, the cost is reduced to $50. Students can pre-register here. Email Ryan Hughes with any questions. Thank you for supporting our student-athletes and helping ensure a healthy, successful season ahead!

Save the Date! June 23 - Annandale High School Golf Tournament! Get ready to hit the greens! The Annandale High School Golf Tournament is back and set for Monday, June 23, at 8:30am at Chantilly National Golf & Country Club. This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to play, sponsor, or support while benefiting Annandale Athletics. Registration opens soon, so start gathering your team! For details on sponsorship opportunities or to learn more, visit the Atoms Booster Club Golf Tournament page.