Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

I hope you had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend. I hosted my daughter’s graduation party and the preparations had me reflecting on when she was small, and excited for the things she will do. She has worked hard to get to this moment and I am proud of her accomplishments.

I was also proud to see the nearly 100 students who took advantage of our Saturday Academic Coaching this weekend. To support students in finishing the year strong, we will offer two more Academic Coaching sessions on June 6, and 13 from  8:30am to 11:00am to support students in prioritizing their work, completing outstanding assignments, and facilitating assessment retakes. This is a focused, distraction-free window to get individualized help, improve grades, and stay on track. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

This is the final week of school for the Class of 2026. This week, seniors should report to school at 8:10am and attend all of their scheduled classes. On these days, seniors may leave after the last class for which they have an exam. After their W2 exam on Monday, seniors will be dismissed to attend the Senior Picnic at Ossian Hall Park, where they will enjoy a light breakfast and have an opportunity to sign yearbooks. If you don’t have a yearbook yet, it’s not too late! They can be purchased at www.yearbookforever.com or with cash at lunch in the cafeteria. The cost is $100.

While seniors are wrapping up their final days at Annandale, our underclassmen are preparing for their final exams. In most classes, teachers have shifted their focus to helping students prepare for final exams and culminating activities. In all classes, the final exam or culminating activity counts for 10% of the course grade. Students who are absent from a final exam will receive an "F," and final exams are not eligible for retakes. Final exams for underclassmen begin on June 11, and we encourage all students to use the remaining days of the school year to prepare, stay organized, and finish strong.

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Parent Volunteers and Donations Needed! 

The final weeks of the school year include important events and opportunities to support Annandale High School through donations or volunteering. Detailed opportunities are listed below.

June 9 - Volunteers Needed for the All Night Grad Celebration: We also need volunteers to support the All Night Grad Celebration! Let's keep the legacy of this amazing event, providing a safe environment for our Seniors to celebrate their graduation. Sign up here to support the day of the event.

Important Dates

June 1 - Senior Picnic, 9:35am
June 1 - Annandale Physical Night
June 2 - Senior Sunset, 8pm
June 3 - Senior Awards, 10am
June 3 - All Athletes Celebration, 6pm
June 4 - Senior Cap & Gown Distribution
June 5 - Graduation Rehearsal
June 6 - Saturday Academic Coaching
June 8 - Graduation (Early Release, 10:30am)
June 8 - Graduation, 7pm
June 9 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
June 9 - All Night Grad Party, 11pm
June 10 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
June 11-16 - Final Exams

June 1 - Athletic Physical Exams: On Monday, June 1, Annandale High School will host an opportunity for student-athletes to complete their Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE) for the 2026-27 academic year. This exam will ensure eligibility for all sports through June 30, 2027. 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 5:30pm 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. To take advantage of the discounted rate and secure your appointment, register today! Contact Ryan Hughes with any questions. Thank you for supporting our student-athletes and helping ensure a healthy, successful season ahead!

June 3 - All Athletes End of Year Celebration: Join us on Wednesday, June 3, at 6:00pm in the Annandale Auditorium for our annual All Athletes End of Year Celebration. This special event honors the dedication, achievements, and contributions of our student-athletes and athletic programs throughout the school year. All student-athletes and their families are invited to attend as we reflect on an outstanding year of competition, teamwork, and school pride. The evening will conclude with desserts and refreshments in the auditorium lobby, providing an opportunity for athletes, families, coaches, and staff to celebrate together.

June 8 - Early Release: Monday, June 8, will be an early release day due to graduation later that afternoon. Students will follow a modified morning schedule featuring two PRIDE Time sessions—a valuable opportunity to get academic support, complete missing assignments, and prepare for final exams. Schedule for the day:

8:10–9:13 – PRIDE Time 1
9:20–10:23 – PRIDE Time 2

Students not requested for PRIDE Time will stay with their teacher throughout the morning. Breakfast will be available and a Grab n’ Go meal will be offered at dismissal. Buses will depart at 10:30am.

June 8 - Graduation, 7:00pm: Graduation will be held on Monday, June 8, at 7:00pm at Eagle Bank Arena. Tickets are not required.

Awesome Atoms

2026 Yearbooks Have Arrived! Excitement filled the cafeteria on Friday as students picked up and purchased copies of the 2026 Annandale High School yearbook during all lunch periods. Packed with senior tributes, baby photos, homecoming memories, and highlights from events throughout the year, the yearbook captures the stories and experiences that made this school year special. Students enjoyed flipping through the pages to find friends, classmates, and themselves featured throughout the book. Missed the distribution? It's not too late. Order your copy today at yearbookforever.com and secure a keepsake of an unforgettable year at Annandale.

Finish Strong

End of Year Attendance Requirements: The last day of school for underclass students is Wednesday, June 17. With 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 11-16, 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.

Saturday Academic Coaching: Annandale teachers will be available on select Saturdays from 8:30am to 11:00am to support students in prioritizing their work, completing outstanding assignments, and facilitating assessment retakes. This is a focused, distraction-free window to get individualized help, improve grades, and stay on track. Academic Coaching sessions will be offered on June 6 and 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

Class of 2026 Information

Class of 2026 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 2026 Newsletter. If you have any questions about upcoming senior events, please contact our senior class sponsors, Erin Mahoney and Chase Cole or our senior class administrator, Jae Lee.

May 28 - June 2 - Senior Exams: Seniors will take their Senior Exams during their regularly scheduled class periods on May 28-June 2. Here is the full exam schedule: May 28: W6 & W8; May 29: R5 & R7; June 1: W2; June 2: R1 & R3. Seniors may leave school after their last exam that day.

May 28 - June 2 - Senior Laptop and Book Collection: Beginning Thursday, May 28, students who no longer need their FCPS issued laptop can return it at the Main Gym Lobby after each senior exam block. Once students have turned in their laptop and any school-issued books or supplies, they are dismissed from school.

June 1 - Senior Picnic, 9:35am: Immediately following the W2 exam, seniors will be released at 9:35am. Members of the Class of 2026 will gather in the Senior parking lot or Ossian Park to enjoy a light breakfast, and sign yearbooks. The event will end at 11:15am.

June 2 - Senior Sunset, 7pm: Senior Sunset will take place on June 2 from 7:00-9:00pm. Students are encouraged to come watch the sunset on the football field with music, drinks, and food to celebrate the last day of their senior year. In addition, students will have an opportunity to paint the spirit rock on this day.

June 3 - Senior Awards Ceremony: Our annual Senior Awards Ceremony will be held on June 3 from 10:00-11:15am at Annandale High School. This ceremony provides us an opportunity to recognize seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in each content area, as well as celebrate those seniors who have been selected for community based awards and scholarships. We will provide more details as we get closer to the ceremony and will be communicating directly with the students and families of our award recipients. If you have questions or concerns, please email Viri Acosta.

June 4 - Senior Obligations & Cap and Gown Distribution: Seniors must pay all outstanding obligations, including Senior Dues, prior to receiving their cap and gown. Financial obligations can be paid online via myschoolbucks.com, by using the myschoolbucks mobile app, or in person on June 4. Here are instructions on how to access MySchoolBucks.com. All senior obligations must be paid before picking up their cap and gown. If you have any questions, please email Jeremy DeBoe, Finance Technician.

Students can pick up their cap and gown and senior gift during their assigned times listed below.

• 10:00-11:00am - Last names A-L
• 11:30-12:30pm - Last names M-Z

Students enter through Door 11, at the front of the building, to the upper gym where they will turn in all equipment and supplies and pay any obligations in order to become eligible to graduate.

June 5 - Graduation Rehearsal, 10:00-11:00am or 11:30-12:30pm: Graduation rehearsal will be held on the Annandale High School stadium field. Seniors who choose to participate in the Graduation Ceremony must attend graduation rehearsal during their assigned times below. 

• 10:00-11:00am - Last names A-L
• 11:30-12:30pm - Last names M-Z

Students should meet on the home side stadium bleachers where they will receive information about the ceremony.

June 5 - Graduation Walk, 1:30pm: We are thrilled to extend an invitation to participate in the Graduation Walk event on Friday, June 5 at 1:30pm (2:30 for Annandale Terrace), where students will have the wonderful opportunity to revisit their previous elementary school and stroll through the halls adorned in cap and gown, celebrating their achievements and the journey that has led them to this momentous occasion. Interested students must submit this form by June 1. Transportation will not be provided. All students who would like to participate must safely get to their school on their own.

June 8 - Graduation, 7:00pm: Graduation will be held on Monday, June 8, at 7:00pm at Eagle Bank Arena. This is a momentous occasion for our students and families. In addition, this event is a celebration of our collective efforts to support the Class of 2026 over the past four years.

June 9 - All Night Grad Celebration: Annandale High School’s All Night Grad Celebration is June 9 from 11:00pm-5:00am at Audrey Moore Rec Center! Tickets are on sale now for $55. Students can order tickets here. After June 1, tickets will only be available at the door for $65. If you would like, you can sponsor a Senior and purchase their ticket! Questions? Please contact the ANGC Chair if you have questions or concerns about the All Night Graduation Celebration. Parents can join the fun by volunteering to help! It takes a lot of volunteers to make this a successful night for our seniors. Please look at the sign-up and find a shift that works for you.

Important Information

Student Testing Results Coming Soon: Throughout May and June, you will receive your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, there is a list of tests by grade level on the FCPS website. How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about how test results are reported to families. Individual test websites provide report translations and help for interpreting test results. Please contact us with any testing questions or for additional information about how we use test results to support student success.

Medication Pickup: The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 10. Medications left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian, however, with parent or guardian written permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the health room. If you have any questions, please contact the School Health Aide Larry Cooper Sr. at 703-642-4110, or the Public Health Nurse Michelle Dierkes.

IB Transcript Requests: Graduates who filled out the Senior Survey in May will have an IB transcript sent to the college that was listed in the survey. IB will send out transcripts in August either electronically or paper copy. If a student’s university plans have changed, students may request a transcript for a fee at any time. If you have questions, please contact Linda Bradshaw.

IB Scores Released: Information on how to obtain IB scores was emailed on March 18 from Linda Bradshaw, IB coordinator. Results will be posted after July 6 and can be found at https://candidates.ibo.org. Seniors were told to forward the email to a personal email address as fcps school accounts will be deactivated soon after graduation. Be sure to enter the PIN exactly as provided, including uppercase and lowercase letters, since it is case sensitive and changes each year. If you become locked out of the portal, wait a few hours before trying again. For the best experience, use either Chrome or Firefox. Please reach out to Linda Bradshaw, IB Diploma Coordinator, if you need login information or have questions.

Required Immunizations for Rising Seniors: Additional immunizations are required for students entering grade 12. All students entering 12th grade are to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and healthcare providers. Additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and the Fairfax County Health Department. 

Underclassmen Keep Their Laptop Over The Summer! As we prepare for the end of the school year, we want to share an important update regarding student device collection. Beginning this year, Annandale High School will only be collecting devices from graduating seniors and students who are withdrawing. All other students will keep their assigned devices over the summer. This change is intended to help students maintain access to educational resources, summer learning opportunities, and school-related activities. As a reminder, students are responsible for properly caring for and securing the device over the summer. Devices must return with the student at the start of the next school year in good working condition. Students and families remain responsible for any obligations, fees, or fines related to lost, stolen, or damaged devices and accessories. If there are any concerns about keeping the device over the summer, students may turn in their device June 11-16 in room 328 after they have completed final exams.

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.

Opportunities

All Night Grad Tickets On Sale Now! Tickets are now on sale for this year’s All Night Grad Celebration, a long-standing Annandale High School tradition made possible by the Annandale High School PTSA and the parent community. This safe, fun, and adult-supervised event is entirely volunteer-run and provides seniors with a memorable way to celebrate together.

The All Night Grad Celebration will take place on June 9, beginning at 11:00 PM, with doors closing at midnight. Tickets are available for $55 but will increase to $65 on June 1. Students can look forward to great food, games, a DJ, top-notch entertainment, and exciting door prizes, including computers and televisions.

Discounted tickets are available for students in need, and interested students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor for more information. Parent volunteers are also essential to the success of this event, and families are encouraged to sign up to help if they are able. Email Annandale.angc@gmail.com with any questions.

Yearbook Distribution May 28 - June 5: Yearbook distribution is here! This year, yearbooks will be distributed to students between May 28 - June 5, before and after school, as well as in the cafeteria during their lunch period. If there are any questions or concerns, please reach out to Kylie Vera.

Free Bus Passes Available: All Fairfax County middle and 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 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office. Additionally, our students can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes and to access the application. Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult. It’s not just for kids! Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the