Academic Advising Timeline

• January 14: Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night (6:00 pm-8:00 pm, Hughes MS), Click here for detailed event information (español, العربية).
• January 22: Elementary Visits to Hughes MS (Aldrin, Armstrong, Fox Mill, Forest Edge, Lake Anne, Sunrise Valley)
• January 23: Elementary Visits to Hughes MS (Clearview, Crossfield, Dogwood, Terraset, and Hunters Woods)
• February 3-13: Counselors Visit 6th Grade Classes for Academic Advising Lessons
• February 21: Rising 7th Grade Course Selections Due to Elementary School Counselors

Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night

Students and families are invited to attend our Curriculum Night on January 14 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. During this event, you may take a self-guided tour of LHMS, meet core content teachers in the Gym, and visit elective teachers in their classrooms. Early Bird sessions are also offered starting at 5:00pm. Please review this flyer for more details. 

Course Selection Process

LHMS counselors will visit 6th grade classrooms in February.  Students will learn about the course selection process and practice completing a course selection sheet.  All students will bring home a course selection sheet that must be returned to their elementary school counselor by February 21, 2025.  School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Course selection is a collaborative process; students should seek the advice of their parents, teachers, and school counselor to plan appropriately for the upcoming year to ensure success.

Student course requests will be entered into SIS (Student Information System) and will be posted in ParentVUE under the ‘Course Request’ tab.  Parents/Guardians should have an active ParentVUE account to verify course requests.  Please contact your elementary school registrar if you need assistance with your account.

Course Selection Materials

• Grade 7 Course Catalog
• Grade 7 Course Selection Sheet - Students will receive a copy of this during their Academic Advising lesson in February.
• Grade 7 Elective Descriptions (English / español / العربية) - Students will receive a copy of this during their Academic Advising lesson in February.

Required Immunizations

Per code of Virginia and FCPS regulation 2101, a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, & pertussis) and a Meningococcal vaccine are required for students entering 7^th grade. Please make sure to present an updated immunization record, with the mentioned vaccines included, to your student’s elementary school before the end of this school year.  Visit the FCPS Immunization website for more information.

Academic Advising Timeline

• February 18 (snow date): Rising 8th Grade Curriculum Night (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Hughes MS Lecture Hall)
• February 18-21: One on One Academic Advising with Counselors (Science Classes)
• February 28: Rising 8th Grade Course Selections Due to Science Teacher

Rising 8th Grade Curriculum Night

You are invited to our Rising 8th Grade Curriculum Night on Tuesday, February 11 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.  Our goal is to prepare students and families for the 2025-26 school year course selection process, including the significance of taking high school credit courses, math course sequencing, and standardized testing information.  Families will also have the opportunity to learn about core content curriculum and elective class options.

Parents/guardians must accompany students.  If you are unable to attend, please be sure to review the Academic Advising materials posted on this webpage.

• 6:00pm to 6:30pm: Meet content area teachers and ask question about curriculum in the cafeteria.
• 6:00pm to 6:30pm: Learn how to use Schoology, Parent VUE (SIS), and Lightspeed in the cafeteria.
• 6:30pm to 7:00pm: Attend an information session in the Lecture Hall.  Topics include: course selection, high school credit courses, math sequencing, and standardized testing.

Course Selection Process

LHMS counselors will conduct academic advising lessons the week of February 18, 2025.  Students will learn about course offerings, complete a course selection sheet, and meet with their LHMS counselor to discuss their course selections.  Counselors will enter students’ course requests directly into SIS (Student Information System).  After a student meets with their counselor, their course requests will be available for parent/guardian review via ParentVUE under the ‘Course Request’ tab.  Parents/Guardians must have an active ParentVUE account to verify course requests.  Please contact Cristina Hannon, LHMS Registrar, if you need assistance with your account.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Course selection is a collaborative process; students should seek the advice of their parents, teachers, and school counselor to plan appropriately for the upcoming year to ensure success.  Requests to change courses must be made via Google form that will be posted here once the initial round of course selections are completed.  The deadline to change requests is February 28, 2025.

Course Selection Materials

• Grade 8 Course Catalog
• Course Selection Sheet - Students will receive a copy of this during their Academic Advising lesson in February.
• Grade 8 Elective Descriptions (English / español / العربية) - Students will receive a copy of this during their Academic Advising lesson in February.
• Rising 8th Grade Curriculum Night Presentation

Academic Advising Timeline 

Please be aware that deadlines may vary by school.  If you are attending a school that is not listed below, please contact your LHMS School Counselor for support. 

• January 13: Herndon HS Counselors Meet with Students (9:30 am to 10:30 am)
• January 13-17: Rising 9 Academic Advising Lessons by Hughes Counselors (Science Classes)
• January 15: South Lakes Curriculum Night (6:30 pm, South Lakes HS)
• January 16: Herndon HS Curriculum Night (6:30 pm, Herndon HS)
• February 1: High School Curricular Transfer Application Window Opens
• February 18-21: South Lakes School Counselors Meet with Students
• February 28: Herndon High School Course Selections Due
• March 11: South Lakes High School Course Selections Due
• May 1: High School Curricular Transfer Application Window Closes

Course Selections Process

LHMS counselors will conduct an academic advising lesson with all rising 9th grade students, through science classes, in January. This lesson will review general 9th grade course sequence options and FCPS diploma requirements. Course offering vary by school; students should review their high school website for detailed information about course offering.

South Lakes HS: South Lakes counselors will meet individually with all students zoned for that school. They will enter students’ course requests directly into SIS. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to review course requests via ParentVUE under the ‘Course Request’ tab.  Please contact Cristina Hannon, LHMS Registrar, if you need assistance with your account.

Herndon HS: Herndon counselors will present academic advising information to students zoned for that school, on January 8. All students zoned for Herndon HS should attend. Students will learn how to input their courses into SIS and must complete this process by February 28. Parents/Guardians can then view their student’s course requests in ParentVUE under the ‘Course Request’ tab.

Course Selection Materials

South Lakes HS: 

• South Lakes Academic Advising Website
• South Lakes 9th Grade Course Selection Sheet
• South Lakes High School IB Presentation

Herndon HS: Herndon High School Academic Advising Website. Students may reference this course selection sheet when making their course choices, however, students should enter their final classes directly into SIS, by February 28.

The High School Curricular Transfer Application Window is February 1 to May 1. Program availability is indicated in the application - FCPS Student Transfer Information.
Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB), World Language, Academy, Global STEM (Edison HS Only)

Phyllis Degraffenried - 8th grade students with the last name A-Lee

Mark Blocker - 8th grade students with the last name Lei-Z

Karen Bach - 7th grade students with the last name A-K

Angel Evins - 7th grade students with the last name L-Z

View our fill staff on the Student Services page.

Why Should You Be Interested in Open Enrollment Honors Courses in Middle School?

Challenge Yourself!
Open enrollment honors courses in FCPS provide opportunities for students to go beyond course standards in a specific subject(s). 

• Pick areas where you feel you have a strength or interest!
• Push yourself to develop new skills and expertise!
• Experience a new challenge!

Explore Your Passions and Develop Your Talents!
Open enrollment honors courses help talent development for all students. 

• Get personal support for success!
• Dive deep into subjects you enjoy, from literature to science to history.
• Self-assess and celebrate your own growth!

Learn in Engaging Ways!
Open enrollment honors courses focus on expertise and deeper learning.

• Go beyond grade level standards!
• Engage in ”deeper thinking” advanced academic curriculum and strategies.
• Collaborate more with peers!
• Focus on the process of learning: Inquiry, design, revision and sharing!

Take Ownership Over Your Learning!
In open enrollment honors courses you’ll experience:

• A different structure and pace! Some lessons may be compacted or move faster to allow for more time to do hands-on projects and activities!
• More independence and autonomy in your learning, giving you the freedom to explore your interests and be in control of your learning!

What Are You Waiting For?
Share your interests in taking honors courses with your parents, school counselor, and teacher!

Use the checklist below (or this flyer) to help you decide which honors classes you might be interested in.

• FCPS Graduation Requirements
• High School Course Sequencing