• Bell Schedule
• Red/Silver Rotation Calendar
• FCPS Calendar 2024-2025
• Attendance policies and procedures
• McLean High School Instagram: @mclean_high | X: @mcleanhigh
• McLean Athletics website Instagram @McLeanathletics | X: @Mcleanathletics 
• Sign up for McLean High School News and Announcements emails. Dr. Reilly, McLean HS Principal, sends the weekly update each Monday at 5:00 pm

If you want to sign up for emails from the Activities Office, you can also find that sign up for McLean High School Athletics

Welcome Back Events 

We are excited to welcome back our students and families to the 2024-25 School Year! We have a variety of opportunities for you to interact with our faculty and staff, as well as learn more about the courses during Back to School Night.  

Back to School Events 

• Freshman/Transfer student Orientation : Thursday, August 15 from 9-12:00.  
  • Please see the linked schedule for more details on our Freshman/Transfer student orientation.  
• Back to School Night - August 27- 5:30-8:30
  • All students and families are invited to our Back to School. 
  • For those interested in a traditional in-person Back to School Night, we invite you to join us on the evening of Thursday, August 27. Parents will have an opportunity to go through their child’s schedule class by class and hear a presentation about the class from teachers. 
  • Parking will be limited and we encourage parents to carpool or walk if within walking distance. 
  • More specific details will be released closer to the event. 
• Senior Parent Meeting - August 27, 5:30-6:30
  • Parents of Seniors! Please join us at our annual Senior Parent Night from 5:30-6:30pm on August 27 in the Auditorium. In this meeting we will share upcoming events and information to be aware of related to post-secondary planning, with an emphasis on how best to support your student as they engage in the college application process.
• Thursday, August 29th - Celebrate McLean, 4-6:30 pm 
  • All students and families are invited to stop by to learn about club and extra-curricular offerings, enjoy some food trucks, and games.  This is a great time for us to come together and celebrate the school year ahead!  
  • Students from our school pyramid are welcome to attend!

SIS ParentVUE Accounts

SIS ParentVUE is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. Your username and password is the same for both ParentVUE and Schoology. 

• SIS ParentVUE Account Provides: access to view your child’s student information, including attendance, report cards, class schedules, grade book (for Middle and High School students), course history, discipline, health, and school information.  You can also update your child’s Emergency Care Information through SIS ParentVUE for the first time this year. It also enables you to get weekly grade reports. 
  • Grade Books will be viewable for all parents beginning, Tuesday, September 3rd @ 6:00a.m.
• Schoology Parent Account Provides: access to view your child’s courses, groups, assignments, and calendar. Parents can also check messages, adjust their notification settings, and access additional groups or courses if they are enrolled as members.

Need an account? Please visit us during our Back to School Night to register for an account.  You may contact Ms.Molly Payne, [email protected], to receive your activation code.

Parents currently have access to the following opt-out forms via SIS ParentVue: 

• SEL Screener Participation
• Counseling Opt-Out
• Transportation Intent
• FCPS Device Acceptance 
• Home Internet Access

Any parent/guardian associated with a student, and has a SIS ParentVUE account, can update these opt-outs as needed by going to the "Student Info" tab and clicking "Edit Information" in the top left-hand corner.  The parent/guardian must have both "Contact Allowed" and "Records Access Rights" to see and update student information. More information is provided within ParentVUE to assist you in your decision making for your child.

Starting August 1, 2024, student consent forms currently on ParentVUE will be moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC).

Families can log in to the PDC using their ParentVUE credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child. 

Forms available in the PDC starting in the 2024-2025 school year include:

• School Counseling Opt-Out
• Digital Resources Consent
• SEL Screener Opt-Out
• Consent for Release of Student Records in Support of Postsecondary Applications
• Denial of Access to Military Recruiters 
• Family Life Education Opt-Out
• SOL Retest Permission
• Hazel Health
• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Opt-Out
• SOS Screener Opt-Out
• Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations
• Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public

Forms can be submitted to Jennifer Hill in the FCPS Main Office.

Important Upcoming Dates

• August 8 – Senior Portraits (https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mclean-hs-va/)  
• August 15 – Schedules available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE at 6 am
• August 15 – Rising Freshman and Transfer Student Orientation, 9-12:00 am
• August 15 - Rising Freshman and Transfer Parent Information Night - 6:00-7:00 pm
• August 19 – First Day of School! 
• August 27 – Back to School Night/Senior Parent Night
• August 29 - Celebrate McLean - 4:00-6:30
• August 30 – No School 
• September 2 – No School, Labor Day 
• September 27-28 – Underclassmen Portraits 
• September 30- October 2 – Senior Portraits final make-up dates  
• October 3 – No School, Yom Kippur
• October 9 – PSAT (10th-11th Grade)/SAT (12th Grade) Day; No-School 9th grade/non-testers
• October 10 – Senior Panoramic
• October  14 – Staff Development Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day 
• October 18 - Homecoming Game
• October 19 - Homecoming Dance 8:00-10:30
• October 31 – Underclassmen Portraits Make-up
• October 31 – End of 1st Quarter, 2 hour early release
• November 1 - No School, Diwali
• November 4-5 – Teacher Workdays – Student Holidays
• November 11 – No School - Veterans’ Day
• November 27-29 – No School, Thanksgiving Break 

Bus Schedules

All parents should access their SIS ParentVue account to ensure the Transportation Intent for each student is accurate. All parents/guardians should receive an eNotify email message directly from Transportation on August 9, 2024.  That email provided details on the transportation intent process for families.  If adjustments are needed, click on “Edit Information” to make changes to your Transportation Intent.

Through your SIS ParentVue account, you can see your child’s transportation assignments and intent on the “Student Info” tab. Transportation assignments for the first day of school, August 19, 2024, will become available on August 12, 2024, and changes may be made up to August 16, 2024.

All students eligible for transportation services will be provided transportation unless the parent has stated ‘NO’ to the Transportation Intent.

Please contact the transportation office or the McLean Main Office if you have any questions about accessing your student information.

Late buses will run on Wednesday afternoons and will start on Wednesday, September 4th. The late bus schedule will be posted outside of the Security Office and on the McLean High School page on Schoology; students can also find their bus number on StudentVUE.

Schedule Change Policy

To support students in settling into a consistent class schedule, a team of interdisciplinary staff and faculty have reviewed our schedule change policy. Please note the following in regards to schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year:

• August 19 & August 20: No schedule changes will be made to ensure accurate reporting of attendance.
• August 29: Additions to AP classes cannot be made after this date.
• August 21 – September 6: Any change allowed, pending space availability in classes (with the exception of no AP classes after August 29). Elective changes must be completed within this window.
• September 9: Schedule change request forms begin with review by committee for class level changes. The request requires student, parent, teacher, and counselor feedback. A conference on some level with student, parent, teacher, counselor, and/or AP may be required if further discussion of the change is needed. If approved, change will only be made on a space available basis.
• February 12: No schedule changes for the remainder of the school year.

Advisory and Highlander Time

Highlander Time

McLean students have a seven period schedule that alternates between red and silver days.  

• Red days, students will attend periods 1, 3, 5, and 7.

• Silver days, students will attend periods 2, 3, 4, and 6.  

Students will attend Highlander Time daily.  Highlander Time is identified as “Learning Seminar” on students’ schedules.  Attendance is taken daily for Highlander Time, and the expectation is that students attend their assigned Highlander Time.  

The Purpose of Highlander Time

Highlander Time is a designated time for intervention, enrichment, and other school-directed activities related to academic and career planning, academic habits, and social emotional learning.  During this time, students should complete school work, study, and get support from teachers.  

Highlander Time Basics      

• Occurs daily from 9:46-10:17.
• HT Rotation:  HT 1, HT 2, HT 3, HT 4, HT 5, HT 6, HT 7, HT Flex    
• For the first month of school, students will remain in their assigned Highlander Time location.     
• Beginning September 16, students can move to other teachers, counselors, the library, or the testing center.

Highlander Time Movement begins on September 16, which allows students to visit another teacher, meet with their counselor, go to the library, or utilize the testing center.  Students must obtain a pass in order to participate in Highlander Time movement.  

Highlander Time Flex is part of the bi-weekly rotation and begins on September 23.  During Flex, students may choose to attend club meetings, visit any teacher or large group sites such as the gym, stadium field, or library.  All students are required to stay on campus during Flex.  If found leaving/returning to campus, a parent will be notified and a disciplinary infraction will occur.

Please direct questions about Highlander Time to Emily Geary (@email). 

FCPSOn Chromebook Devices

The FCPSOn initiative at Mclean High School provides students with equitable access to meaningful learning experiences and technology to support their learning. Each McLean student will receive an FCPS-issued Chromebook to access dynamic resources and participate in learning tailored to the student’s individual needs. Loaner Chromebooks will only be available for students whose Chromebooks are in need of repair.  The Tech Center is located in the Library if support or repairs are needed.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Giese, @email. 

The mission of FCPSOn is to provide equitable access to technology and to instructional practices that lead to Portrait of a Graduate outcomes for ALL students. 

Chromebooks will be distributed during the first week of school.  Freshman will receive their computer at Freshman orientation.

Immunization Requirement

All students entering twelfth grade are required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older, and prior to the beginning of school.  Twelfth grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Meningococcal documentation. 

Please provide one of the following documents to McLean High School as soon as possible:

• An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine at age 16 or older.
• A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given at age 16 or older.
• A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf

Please note families do not need to wait for their students to be entering the 12th grade to provide the requisite immunization documentation.  Families can provide the appropriate records immediately following the immunization following the student’s 16th birthday.  

Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online or by calling 703-246-2411.

The needed documentation can be provided to the school in one of the following ways: 

1. Scan and email  - Ms. Cindy Ramos [email protected] 
2. Mailed to the school, McLean High School, Attn: Cindy Ramos, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean, VA 22101
3. Dropped off in the Main Office, Attn: Cindy Ramos

Please contact Cindy Ramos at 703-714-5722  if you have any questions.

FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS

9th & 10th graders will be photographed with their Health/PE class on Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Thursday, Sept. 28.

9th & 10th graders who do not take Health/PE on-campus at McLean this year, should report to the auditorium during Highlander Time on Thursday, September 28 to have their picture taken. 

11th graders will be photographed with their US History class on Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Thursday, Sept. 28.

11th graders who do not take US History on-campus at McLean this year, should report to the auditorium during Highlander Time on Thursday, September 28 to have their picture taken. 

 MAKEUP DAY - 9th, 10th & 11th graders:

Students who missed the original picture day, will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on our makeup day, Thursday, October 31 in the Dance Room. 

Students should check-in with their teacher and then go at the time assigned to their grade:

SENIORS - CLASS OF 2025

Class of 2025 - it's time to schedule your senior portrait for the yearbook! 

You can schedule your senior portrait appointment at: https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mclean-hs-va/  The first dates for senior portraits were May 14 and June 3, 5 and 6, 2024. We will have make-up days July 11 and August 8 and the final make-up dates are September 30-October 2. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 

There is no sitting fee for yearbook portraits -- it is absolutely FREE! Students will receive proofs of their pictures and may order a variety of packages, if they wish. There is an additional sitting fee for those students who wish to be photographed in a variety of poses and outfits -- please see the website for more details. PLEASE NOTE - Paying a sitting fee is NOT the same as purchasing a photo package or a yearbook. It gets you more time with the photographer, but if you choose to purchase photos after seeing your proofs that will be an additional fee.

WHERE DO I GO? 

Please be sure to head to the LECTURE HALL at McLean High School for most dates. 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Senior portraits are a more formal picture. Solid colored dress shirts/tops work well for the camera; A drape will be provided (one looks like a black evening gown and the other looks like a tux), but you may wear your own clothing if you like. Very little of the top shows so what's important is the neckline (nothing too low cut or busy - a simple solid colored top will look great and sleeve length doesn’t matter).

If you choose to wear the provided drape, wear a T-shirt (for the tux-style drape) or a tank top (for the evening gown style drape) so you can easily slip on the drape.          

WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE IT FOR MY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT IN THE SUMMER? 

The first dates for senior portraits are in May and June. If you cannot make these dates, look for an email about when the summer makeup dates are open for scheduling. Final make-up dates are September 30-October 2. Please note that students who wait to have their picture taken in September/October will have less time and will NOT have a chance for retakes.

WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE MY PICTURES? 

Students who do not like their pictures taken in June or July can schedule a retake. Please call Legacy Photography 716-512-6336 or [email protected] to get a retake appointment time for the July or October dates at McLean.

HOW DO I LET THE YEARBOOK STAFF KNOW WHICH PICTURE SHOULD APPEAR IN THE YEARBOOK? 

When you receive your proofs there will be instructions for indicating your yearbook pose. 

All selections must be made by November 1 and the portraits must be head and shoulders, on the blue background with no props. If you have not selected a pose by Nov. 1, the yearbook staff will select one for you.                   

QUESTIONS? Our portrait photographer, Legacy Photography, can be contacted at 716-512-6336 or [email protected]

Senior Panoramic Picture: October 10.

Arrival and Dismissal Information and Traffic Patterns

Student Arrival and Dismissal

The building will be accessible to students starting at 7:30 am.   

Dismissal is at 2:55 pm.  Students are asked to leave the building at the end of the day unless they are being supervised by an adult. Any student who wishes to stay after school must be in the supervision of a staff member.  

Traffic Patterns at Arrival and Dismissal

All drivers are strongly encouraged to follow all traffic/roadway laws and driving patterns as established. This ensures the safety of all and maximizes the efficiency of our traffic pattern. Please follow all posted signs and directions of staff. The first week of school, traffic is traditionally heavier than normal.  Please allow additional time if you are driving your student to school and/or your student is driving themselves to school.  

Traffic in the morning can be hectic and unpredictable, please plan ahead and leave early to arrive on time.  If you have to drive your child to school, the best time to drop-off is between 7:30-8:00.  It is always clear and there is no waiting.  After 8:00, congestion begins which leads to  students being late to class.  

Sea Cliff Entrance Changes:  Those who drive to school in the morning using the Sea Cliff entrance have to continue around the school and leave school grounds using the Westmoreland exit. T-turns will no longer be allowed. This change will help students arrive at school on time by removing the delay that occurs when cars turn around on campus. Cones will be placed to direct traffic.  This traffic pattern will be set up only in the morning.

Westmoreland Exit Changes:  All cars that leave school grounds using the Westmoreland exit will only be able to turn right. The police officer posted at that exit will not allow left turns. After speaking with students and police, we determined that left turns on Westmoreland after the end of school cause delays for students leaving the grounds and for the community at large.  This traffic pattern will be followed before and after school.

Student Services Office and Administration

School Counselors

McLean’s school counselors work directly with students, teachers, and parents to provide students a supportive and caring school experience. Students and parents are encouraged to reach out to their counselor with academic concerns, questions about college and career information, or mental health concerns.

Administrative Team

The McLean administrative team is here to support all students! 

The Assistant Principals work along with the counselors to support students. The duties for each assistant principal for the 2024-2025 school year are outlined on our website. Please do not hesitate to reach out when you have a question or concern.

Parking Passes

Registration for parking permit requests is now live and can be accessed on our school website. Please review the information and complete the electronic registration form linked on our Student Parking webpage. Parking permits will be issued beginning Tuesday, August 13. Please note, completing the registration request form does not guarantee a parking permit. Please wait to receive a confirmation from Mr. Bailey before officially purchasing your permit. 

Students with IEPs and 504s

If your student has an IEP, they will be assigned a case manager for the year. The case manager is your first point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding the IEP.

If you have further questions regarding an IEP, you can contact one of the special education department chairs: Patty Harmon (Cat A) at @email or Mark Thompson (Cat B) at @email.  

If your student has a 504 plan, contact Bethany Davis, @email, with any questions or concerns.

Emergency Care Form, Health Information Form and Medications

The goal of the health room is to ensure your student experiences a healthy and safe school year. To proactively plan, we ask that parents/guardians complete the Online/Verification Update packet in SIS ParentVUE to include emergency contact information, Health Information Forms, and Emergency Care Forms. The Online Verification Update (OVU) packet allows parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations) for students in grades PS/HS and kindergarten through 12^th grade. The enrolling parent will be able to access OVU through their SIS ParentVUE account. OVU will be available on July 29th.  

If your student will have a medication at school, please complete the appropriate authorization form: medication, inhaler and/or epinephrine. A new authorization form is required annually for medications kept in the health room, and, for students who self-carry emergency medications such as inhalers or epinephrine.  Please note that an authorization form is also required for medications needed during any FCPS-sponsored activity occurring outside of regular school hours (ex: field trips, sports, band, drama, chorus, etc.) in accordance with FCPS Medication Administration Regulation 2102.

Parents may drop off unexpired medications and forms in the health room on Thursday, August 15th or Friday, August 16th between 8am – 3pm.  Once school begins, medication may be dropped off any school day from 8am-3pm.  Students who are self-carrying emergency medication may drop off authorization forms in the health room. 

Medication Guidelines

FCPS continues to follow medication protocols to help ensure the safety of medication administration at school.  Important requirements include:

• Any time you drop off or pick up a controlled medication in the health room, both the parent/guardian and School Health Aide/FCPS staff member will complete and sign a Medication Delivery/Pick Up Form documenting, among other things, the type and quantity of medications dropped off/picked up.  A copy of the completed form will be provided to the  parent/guardian and school administrator.
• Medications will be reviewed to ensure the medication description on the container/packaging matches the medication in the container.
• All prescription medications must have a pharmacy label on the original pharmacy container. Over the counter (OTC) medications must be in an unopened original container. It is not acceptable for parents/guardians to bring in refills and transfer those medications into the container in the health room throughout the school year.
• Only a 30-day supply of prescription medications should be brought to school. No more than 100 tablets or pills of OTC medication should be brought to school.

Breakfast and Lunch

The McLean High School cafeteria offers breakfast and lunch daily for purchase. If your student plans to purchase meals from the cafeteria, please ensure their meal account is funded or they bring cash. Detailed information on FCPS Food Services, including payment options, daily menus, and free and reduced meal programs, is available on the FCPS website.

For families interested in the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program, applications and additional details can be found HERE. Eligible families are encouraged to submit their applications before the first day of the 2024-2025 school year. 

School Supplies and Lockers

Any teacher who requires specific school supplies will provide a list during the first week of school.

Students are not automatically assigned a locker, as we have found that most students do not find a need for them. Should any student wish to sign up for a locker, students can sign up by emailing Ms. Molly Payne, [email protected]  She will reply to your email that the locker has been assigned and you must go to her office in Student Services to obtain the information.

Student Rights and Responsibilities - Signature

• Students will review the SR&R on Wednesday, August 28 during Highlander Time 3. 
• Every year, FCPS requires parents/guardians to review, sign, and return the SR&R parent/guardian signature page acknowledging awareness of online access to and/or the opportunity to receive a printed copy of the FCPS SR&R Guide for Families. You can complete this requirement through your ParentVue account in a matter of seconds. Upon login to your ParentVue account, you will be prompted immediately to complete the SR&R signature page. Note that your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted. The prompt will repeat in ParentVue until the signature page has been completed. 
• The SR&R Booklet can also be found on the FCPS website, along with updates to the SR&R for the 2024-25 school year.

Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet - if you would prefer to print , sign, and return the form to the school, use this parent signature page.

McLean High School is a supportive community of learners. As such, the school offers a variety of academic support for students to help them excel academically. The supports provided by the school can be found on our school website. We encourage our families to explore these resources and encourage students to take advantage of them throughout the year.