Annandale Students, Families, and Community,

The 2026-27 school year is off to a great start! It was exciting to welcome our students back this morning. Our staff, cheerleaders, and Marching Atoms greeted students as they arrived, bringing great energy and school spirit to the first day.

Students began the day in W4, where we focused on building relationships, creating community, clarifying expectations, and cultivating our values. Throughout the day, our teachers continued helping students make connections, learn routines, and get excited about their classes.

As we begin the year, we will continue to focus on relationships and support, high quality instruction, and helping every student get involved and connected to our Annandale community.

Thank you to our students for a great first day, our staff for all they did to prepare, and our families for your continued partnership and support.

We are excited about the year ahead!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

2026-27 Bell Schedule

Tomorrow we will be following our normal bell schedule for the school year. See below for the detailed schedule. You can also click here for the red/white day calendar and a complete list of alternative bell schedules at Annandale High School.

Important Information

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.

Student Attendance: In order for our students to get the most out of their education, they must be in school and on time to class every day. Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Students who miss 2-4 days in September are more likely to go on to miss nearly a month of school. If your student must be absent from school, please inform the school. The attendance phone number is 703-642-4151.

In addition, parents will have the option to submit full-day absences through ParentVUE. Parent instructions are available on the Attendance page. The Parent Support Request page now includes under Application “SIS Parent” | Inquiry “Report Absences” option.

Schedule Change Requests: Our Student Services team is working hard to make sure our students have accurate schedules. We recognize that some students will want to request changes. At this time, we are only making schedule changes for the following reasons:

• A student does not have a complete schedule or is missing a core class required for graduation.
• A student was registered for a course that they have already successfully passed. The schedule does not reflect a grade change or summer school course that was successfully passed.

If your student has one of the reasons listed above, they should go to Student Services during the class period in which the error occurs. Requests to change schedules based on preference will be considered at a later date. Details on this process will be provided in the coming weeks. Please reach out to Erin Crowley, or your student’s counselor, if you have any questions.

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.

Student Lockers: Student lockers will be available by request only beginning on Tuesday, September 8. Students will receive information about how to request a locker during W4.

Updated FCPS Cellphone Policy: Under a new Virginia cellphone law (SB108) and the updated FCPS Cellphone Policy, high school students at FCPS will no longer be able to use cellphones and other smart devices during lunch time.This includes watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other items connected to the internet. During the school day, including during lunch time, high school students will have to keep cellphones and other smart devices off and stored in a locker, backpack, pouch, purse, etc. This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. Visit the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage for more information.

New Student ID Cards This Fall: This fall, all Annandale High School students will receive a new FCPS student ID card. Students will be expected to wear their ID throughout the school day, and students who ride the school bus will use their ID to tap on and tap off the bus each day. These new ID cards are part of a divisionwide effort to improve student safety, modernize school transportation, and strengthen communication with families. We will distribute student ID cards during the first few weeks of school, and additional information will be shared with families soon. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards on the FCPS website.

Transportation Information

Student Bus Route Assignments: FCPS Office of Transportation Services will communicate student bus route assignments. Parents will received an e-notify to check their ParentVue accounts for transportation information. Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage. Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Note: This fall, all Annandale High School students will receive a new FCPS student ID card. Students who ride the school bus will use their ID to tap on and tap off the bus each day. These new ID cards are part of a divisionwide effort to improve student safety, modernize school transportation, and strengthen communication with families. 

Student Parking: This year, students will have the opportunity to purchase parking permits to park on the Annandale campus. Information about how to purchase a parking permit for the 2026-27 school year will be shared soon after the school year begins. Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, students can park in any designated student parking space until permits are issued. If you have any questions, please email Peter Batista, Safety and Security Specialist.

Crossing Guard Update: Beginning this school year, Fairfax County will no longer assign crossing guards to our school. As always, we encourage students, families, and drivers to use extra caution when traveling to and from school, follow all traffic laws, and remain alert to pedestrians and other vehicles. Because traffic patterns may be different, please allow a few extra minutes when arriving at or departing from school.

Kiss & Ride: Student drop off/pick up (aka Kiss & Ride) is conducted at the main entrance (door #1). Parents should drop off their student(s) beginning at 7:45am. Students are dismissed from school at 2:55pm. If you have any questions, please email Peter Batista, Safety and Security Specialist. 

News from the PTSA

Join Our PTSA: The Annandale High School PTSA plays an important role in supporting our students, staff, and school community throughout the year. Your membership helps fund teacher grants, the AHS Food Pantry, community outreach events, the All Night Graduation Celebration, senior scholarships, and many other programs that enrich the student experience. Membership for the 2026-2027 school year is just $20 for parents/community members and $10 for students. We encourage all families, staff, and community members to join and support the great work of our PTSA.