The LCPS Letter
Students interested in taking the 2027 Advanced Placement (AP) exams must register by Friday, Nov. 6. LCPS will offer AP exams during the College Board’s 2027 testing window, May 3 to May 14, 2027.
LCPS helps make AP testing more affordable by covering the cost of the first four AP exams a student takes during their high school career. Any additional AP exams taken during the 2026-27 school year will cost $90 each.
Students enrolled in AP courses will receive a join code from their teacher to access the College Board’s MyAP portal. Students are responsible for registering for their own exams. Students who are not enrolled in an AP course but wish to take an exam should contact their school's Testing Coordinator. Learn more about AP Testing.
The LCPS Podcast is back for the new school year! In this week's installment -- Better Together -- you’ll hear from student leaders as they reflect on their experiences at the 3rd Annual Student Equity Ambassador and MSAAC Student Delegate Symposium. Listen now to discover how these young advocates are exploring belonging and other important topics.
The LCPS Podcast brings you behind the scenes with school leaders, educators, students and community members to explore trends shaping K–12 education and incredible moments you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes drop every Thursday. Find the LCPS Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio. Listen to this week's podcast episode.
LCPS students have more opportunities to compete this school year with the addition of three new athletic programs: girls flag football, boys volleyball and girls wrestling. Girls flag football and boys volleyball launched this fall at all LCPS high schools, with more than 500 students participating, including 332 in flag football and 194 in boys volleyball. The programs were added in response to student interest, and after a review process that included surveys and budget analysis. Read more about these new varsity sport opportunities.
The Loudoun Education Foundation's (LEF) Innovation in Education Grant application is now open to LCPS teachers and staff! Great ideas have the power to transform learning, and LEF is committed to helping bring those ideas to life. Innovation in Education Grants provide funding for creative classroom projects, innovative programs and engaging learning experiences that benefit students. Grants are available for all subject areas, grade levels and learning environments, with awards of up to $2,000 available this year. Educators, turn your vision into reality and apply for an Innovation in Education Grant by Wednesday, Oct. 7.
As alarm clocks ring earlier and backpacks fill up, the transition back to school can bring a mix of excitement and jitters for everyone in the house. Setting up back-to-school routines isn’t just about earlier bedtimes or checking assignments in Schoology. These routines are a powerful opportunity to practice helpful skills that will support children to be successful now and in the future. And when we build daily routines with our children we help them develop time-management, agency and organization. Below are some ways you and your child can work together to shift from summer to school routines before and after school.
Morning
Involve children with creating morning sequence: Let children decide the sequence of non-negotiables. (For example: "Do you want to get dressed before or after breakfast?") Giving them autonomy builds self-management and reduces morning power struggles.
Create a visual schedule: Use pictures or simple written checklists at eye level so they can track their own progress rather than relying on constant verbal reminders.
Build in some extra time: Add a 10-minute buffer before leaving the house. Use this extra time for a quiet moment, a quick breath or handling last-minute missing items without panic. It helps keep everyone in a calm state to start the day.
Afternoon
Establish a "decompression zone": Recognize that kids experience emotional and sensory fatigue after school. Offer a low-demand period with a snack and quiet time before jumping into homework or questions about their day.
Assign spaces for belongings: Set up an accessible spot for backpacks, shoes and water bottles right by the door or another designated area. This prevents stressful times looking for the things they need.
Set a consistent homework window: Establish a predictable time and quiet space for schoolwork, offering short breaks (five minutes for every 20–25 minutes of focus) to support self-regulation.
Evening
Prep the night before: Lay out clothes, pack lunches and double-check backpacks before bed. Eliminating decisions in the morning dramatically lowers family stress.
Hold a daily emotional check-in: Use bedtime or dinner to ask open-ended reflection questions such as: "What was something that made you feel proud today?", "When did you feel most helpful?" or “What is something you heard today that made you think differently?”
Implement a screen-free wind-down: Turn off devices 60 minutes before sleep to allow melatonin levels to rise naturally, replacing screen time with reading or light stretching.
Remember, when routines break down (as they inevitably will on occasion throughout the year), practice self-compassion together. Pause, take a deep breath and view those messy moments as opportunities to build resilience rather than failures. By prioritizing skill-building alongside these routines, we give our children the supportive foundation they need to thrive both socially and academically this school year.
Join us for Our Turn to Talk, a powerful film that follows five teens as they navigate the challenges of growing up, discovering who they are and finding their voices in the world. Through honest conversations, they share the pressures they face and the realities of living with mental health challenges, while offering valuable insights into what they wish adults better understood.
Our Turn to Talk
Date: Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn)
Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy snacks and connect with others. We'll have pizza, popcorn and movie-theater candy. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a facilitated discussion designed to deepen our understanding of youth mental health and spark meaningful conversation. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Looking for a fun way to spend the day with the family? Head to Kids Fest, hosted by Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS), on Monday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Segra Field Parking Lots (42095 Loudoun United Dr., Leesburg).
Kids can climb, bounce, play and explore their way through a wide variety of attractions, including a Touch-a-Truck experience, bounce houses, a petting zoo, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, a magician and more.
Parents can grab lunch or a snack from the food trucks on-site and visit local businesses and organizations offering programs and opportunities for children and families throughout Loudoun County. For more information, visit loudoun.gov/KidsFest.