Academies of Loudoun White Coat Ceremony Marks Start of Educational Journey

The Academy of Science (AOS) at the Academies of Loudoun welcomed its newest class of students during the annual White Coat Ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 6. This tradition marks the official beginning of their four-year scientific journey. This year, AOS welcomed its largest freshman class ever, with 190 students embarking on a rigorous program of advanced coursework, research, collaboration and innovation. The white coat symbolizes students' commitment to learning, growth and the pursuit of knowledge. During the ceremony, senior AOS students helped the ninth-grade students don their white lab coats, formally welcoming them into their programs and celebrating the start of their academic journey.

LCPS Schools Show Gains in 2026 State Performance Results

LCPS saw an increase in the number of schools earning Virginia’s highest performance rating this year, with 66 of 98 eligible schools rated Distinguished, up from 46 last year.

Overall, 88 LCPS schools, or 90%, were rated Distinguished or Meets Expectations under the Virginia Department of Education’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). Nine schools were rated Approaching Expectations, and one was rated Needs Intensive Support. This represents an improvement from last year, when 18 LCPS schools were rated in the two lowest performance categories. Read more about LCPS' state performance results.

School Board to Review Eastern Loudoun Elementary Attendance Boundaries

This fall, the Loudoun County School Board will review attendance boundaries for all eastern Loudoun elementary schools, including Algonkian, Countryside, Forest Grove, Guilford, Horizon, Lowes Island, Meadowland, Potowmack, Rolling Ridge, Sterling, Sugarland and Sully Elementary Schools. Required under Policy 6530, Changing School Attendance Zones, this review takes place every five years to assess student enrollment and school capacity across the division and may include consideration of boundary adjustments.

The School Board will hold a series of public meetings to review attendance zone data, discuss potential boundary changes and gather community feedback. All meetings are open to the public, begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn). Additional informational meetings within school communities are also being planned, with dates and locations to be announced.

Attendance Zone Review Meeting Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 15: Elementary School Attendance Zone Overview
Thursday, Oct. 22: Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Work Session
Thursday, Nov. 12: Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Work Session
Tuesday, Dec. 1*: Review of Attendance Zone Recommendations
Thursday, Dec. 10: Attendance Zone Briefing & Public Hearing
Tuesday, Dec. 15*: Adoption of Attendance Zone Changes

Meeting dates noted with an asterisk (*) are in conjunction with a regular School Board meeting.

All attendance zone information and data, as it becomes available (including potential attendance zone changes being considered or reviewed by the School Board), will be posted on the Fall 2026 Eastern Loudoun Attendance Zone Process webpage.

Roundtable Helps Shape Workforce Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

LCPS welcomed local business and community partners for a roundtable discussion focused on the future Vocation, Independence, Employment and Work Readiness (VIEW) Transition Academy.

The VIEW Transition Academy, anticipated to open for the 2028-29 school year, will be the first facility of its kind in LCPS and the region. Designed specifically to support high school students with disabilities, the academy will offer specialized Career and Technical Education (CTE), work-readiness training and independent living experiences. Students will have access to 15 career pathways aligned with workforce needs and individual interests, helping them build the skills necessary for future employment and independence.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for LCPS staff and community stakeholders to share information and ideas about the Transition Academy, discuss workforce needs and explore how schools and local partners can work together to expand opportunities for students. Participants asked questions and engaged in conversations about workforce development and inclusion, including the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and the critical skills students need to succeed in today's workforce. Learn more about the Transition Academy Roundtable.

Thursday, October 15 is One LCPS Celebration Day!

graphic promoting One LCPS Celebration Day

Superintendent Aaron Spence is formally declaring Thursday, Oct. 15 as the 3rd Annual One LCPS Celebration Day throughout the entire division! We are excited to once again celebrate our staff and students, and everything they do for LCPS.

To help us celebrate, please wear your school colors, department shirts and/or spirit wear on that day. The superintendent will be visiting schools along with senior staff and division teams to take selfies and say congratulations to students and staff.

LCPS Ombuds Serves as a Confidential Resource to Address Concerns

It's National Ombuds Appreciation Day!

Today, we celebrate the LCPS Ombuds Office, a valuable resource for families, employees and community members. The Ombuds Office serves as a confidential, informal and neutral resource, helping constituents address concerns and advocate for fairness, equity and consistency across the school division.

Visit the Ombuds webpage and get to know LCPS' Ombuds, Jennifer Miller, and learn more about how the Ombuds Office can help.

Crunch Time! LCPS Celebrates Virginia Farm to School Week

student with apple to celebrate Farm to School Week

In honor of Virginia Farm to School Week, The Crunch Heard ’Round the Commonwealth took place today during lunch at all LCPS schools! Students had the opportunity to sample Virginia-grown apples from Saunders Brothers Farm Market in Piney River, Va. Apple varieties including Gala, Ambrosia, Fuji, Jonagold, EverCrisp and more were available as part of this fun taste test.

LCPS Podcast: Creating Connections, Inspiring Kindness at Sterling Elementary

Sterling Elementary students participate in podcast

In this week's LCPS Podcast, the School Spirit podcast team visits Sterling Elementary School, where students share how classes, clubs and school activities help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. Principal Jennifer Short and music teacher Sarah Scarboro discuss the strong sense of community at Sterling Elementary, and the intentional efforts staff makes to ensure every student feels valued and connected. The episode highlights how a culture of kindness starts with the school’s commitment to belonging and is embraced by students, who carry that message forward in their daily interactions with one another.

The LCPS Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes with school leaders, educators, students and community members to explore the trends shaping K-12 education and the stories that make LCPS unique. The LCPS Podcast features four podcast series, including School Spirit, School Talk with Dr. Spence, Better Together and Engage and Empower. New episodes are released every Thursday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio. Listen to this week's episode on the LCPS Podcast webpage.

Celebrating the Team That Keeps LCPS Moving

Every day, LCPS transportation staff help ensure students arrive at school and return home safely. On October 21, Transportation Staff Appreciation Day, we invite families to take a moment to recognize the dedicated drivers, attendants and transportation team members who make this possible. While we encourage everyone to show their appreciation on this special day, a simple gesture of gratitude is meaningful all year long!

Here are a few ways to say thank you:

Leave a kind note or message of appreciation.
Bring a small treat to brighten their day.
Share a smile and a heartfelt “Thank you for keeping our students safe.”

To all of our drivers, attendants and transportation staff: thank you for your commitment, care and dedication to LCPS students and families. We appreciate all that you do for our school community!

Get Help Navigating the FAFSA at Financial Aid Nights

The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) officially opened on Oct. 1. Completing the FAFSA is an important step for college-bound students, as it determines eligibility for federal financial aid. In addition, many states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships and loans.

To help families navigate the financial aid process, LCPS and Northern Virginia Community College will host FAFSA Financial Aid Nights for parents/guardians of high school seniors. These sessions will provide an overview of the FAFSA, explain the financial aid process and highlight additional resources available to help families fund their student's postsecondary education. Presentations will be led by Jack Zegeer, Financial Aid Manager at Northern Virginia Community College.

Below is a list of upcoming presentations. Check with your school counselor if you have questions.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. at Park View High School
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7-8:30 p.m., at Dominion High School
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-noon, at Potomac Falls High School
Monday, Oct. 19, 6-7:30 p.m., at Woodgrove High School
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Virtual (Virtual Link)
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at Loudoun County High School
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m., at Broad Run High School
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6-8 p.m., at Freedom High School
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 6-8 p.m., at Heritage High School
Saturday, Feb. 27, 1-3 p.m., at Rock Ridge High School

LEF Helps Students and Educators Dream Big!

The Loudoun Education Foundation (LEF) reaches every school in Loudoun County through a variety of programs. We invite you to check out our School Impact Reports on our website to see how we show up in your school. At LEF, we believe every Loudoun County student deserves access to the opportunities, resources and experiences that help them reach their full potential. Through the support of our community, we help our students and educators dream big. Get to know us and our mission! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X and YouTube.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Culture at Pueblo Unido Day

Celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture at Pueblo Unido Day on Saturday, Oct. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sterling Community Center (120 Enterprise St., Sterling). Hosted by Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services, this annual festival features traditional food, live music, dance performances and a variety of family-friendly activities. Visitors can also enjoy a petting zoo, connect with community organizations and explore local vendors. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage that helps make Loudoun County such a vibrant and welcoming community.

Help Your Child Develop Skills to Address Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response that helps us recognize and avoid danger. However, for some children and teens, anxiety can become overwhelming when everyday situations are perceived as threats, even when no real danger exists.

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend Parenting the Anxious Child on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn). This workshop will provide practical strategies for understanding anxiety, helping children develop healthy coping skills and supporting their emotional well-being. The session will be presented by Joaquin Perez-Arrieta, LCSW, School Social Worker at Broad Run High School. Please register to attend.

Celebrate Loudoun County’s Agricultural Heritage at the Loudoun Fall Farm Tour

Loudoun Fall Farm Tour Graphic, tractor with pumpkins

Pick some new memories at the Loudoun Fall Farm Tour, Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From charming encounters with llamas, alpacas and donkeys to indulging in delectable homemade ice cream at a dairy farm, the Loudoun Farm Tour offers a variety of experiences for visitors of all ages. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of the Farmer Trading Card All-Stars on their farms. Plan your adventure and create your own tour route using the interactive map available on the Loudoun Farms website.

Other Upcoming Events

Ukeru for Families

Friday, Oct. 16, noon to 2 p.m., LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn). Registration required

Navigating Social Media Safely

Thursday, Oct. 22, Spanish and English session at 6 p.m. Arabic and English session at 7 p.m. Visit the Family Room webpage to learn more and see the webinar link.

See the LCPS Events and Meetings Calendar for more upcoming events.

SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

School Board Summary and Meeting Schedule

Read a summary of the School Board meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and find the School Board Meeting information in BoardDocs. The next School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13. School Board meetings are broadcast on TV and livestreamed. The full meeting agenda is posted on the LCPS School Board website (under Meetings) at approximately 5:30 p.m. on the Friday before to the School Board meeting.

Policy Review

LCPS policies are reviewed every five years under the Code of Virginia. During this process, LCPS asks for input from advisory committees, stakeholder groups and the community at large. The following policies are currently under review:

Policy 8650, Student Technology Acceptable/Responsible Use
Policy 5120, Alternative Education Settings

To provide feedback on policies currently under review and to see policies that have recently been revised, please visit the Policy Review webpage.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Monday, Oct. 12 is Indigenous Peoples' Day and a staff and student holiday.
Thursday, Oct. 15 is One LCPS Celebration Day! Get ready to celebrate LCPS staff and students and all they do to make LCPS great!
Wednesday, Oct. 28 is the end of the first quarter.
Thursday, Oct. 29 through Tuesday, Nov. 3 are student holidays.
Consult the school calendars before scheduling vacations or other student absences. Please prioritize school attendance for your child. Calendars for the 2026/27 and 2027/28.

The LCPS Letter