Discover 10 Amazing Qualities at Oakton HS
We Are Proud of Our Oakton Cougars!
Discover Our Top 10 Amazing Qualities
Oakton Internship Program
Each year our senior students are provided the opportunity to find an internship for the final two weeks of school. This opportunity allows them to explore career paths and learn more about themselves and help formulate what they may want for their future. This school year, 258 members of the Class of 2024 participated in the internship program. This is by far the highest level of participation we have seen since the onset of the program during the 2018-2019 school year. Students participated in a wide variety of incredible experiences and shared their learning with students, staff and community members as a part of an Exhibition of Learning on June 5, 2024.
WAT Program
The Work Awareness and Transition (WAT) class at Oakton pairs with businesses and organizations in the community in order to give our students an authentic work experience. At the end of the year the WAT program hosted an appreciation breakfast for all of our community partners. The students gave presentations explaining how the work experiences have helped them grow. They also created thank you gifts for each job site. The breakfast was a huge success and allowed Oakton to show our appreciation to our community partners.
National Merit Scholars
For the 2024-2025 school year, Oakton honored 67 students who have been recognized by College Board as National Merit Commended students and 12 students who have qualified as a Semifinalist. These students participated in a nationwide competition conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corp., by taking the PSAT last October. 50,000 highest scorers nationwide qualified for this designation and of those high scorers, 16,000 were designated Semifinalists.
Community Defines Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Oakton High School is proud to have worked collaboratively to establish our new school mission, vision and core values. To learn more, visit our About page.
Mission Statement: Unlocking potential as we learn and grow together
Vision Statement: Where potential becomes excellence.
Core Values: Community | Integrity | Respect
AVID Grows the Membership
Oakton High School is proud to run four sections of AVID annually, one per grade level. This past year our seventeen Class of 2024 AVID students earned over $800,000 in college scholarships. In addition, they were accepted to more than 40 different universities!
Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Workshop
Annually, twenty-five students are selected to participate in a teen Mental Health First Aid Training. The training teaches teens in grades 10-12 the skills they need to recognize and help their friends with mental health and substance use challenges as well as the importance of seeking an adult for additional support.
Oakton High School Veterans Day Celebration
On Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 and Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, Juniors taking US History courses participated in the first ever Oakton High School Veterans Day celebration. 21 veterans from across all branches of military service participated, sharing experiences to help students better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students also benefited from learning about the military as a potential career option. The program was very well received and the Oakton High School Social Studies Department looks to expand the program to additional grades next school year.
Cultural Awareness: Cherry Tree Planting Project
In June of 2023, Oakton High School was submitted to be the recipient of 5 cherry trees on behalf of ANA Inspiration of Japan in coordination with the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Casey Trees. On November 9, 2023, we hosted a beautiful ceremony to dedicate the trees. This included representation from the Japanese Embassy, ANA, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Mr. Lawless, Japanese Language teacher, and many of our Japanese language students participated in the ceremony. This was a truly beautiful ceremony and we are thrilled to have these trees on our campus.
Cougar Culture Fest 2024
On April 18, 2024, Oakton hosted our second annual Cougar Culture Fest. This event is organized and planned by our student and staff equity lead ambassadors. All students are invited to attend and have the opportunity to learn about various cultures including: food, dress, art, games, and other traditional customs.
Lillian Blackwell - Fairfax County Historical Marker
On June 3, 2024, the Lillian Blackwell Historical Marker dedication ceremony was held on Oakton High School’s campus. The marker was a part of the Black/African American Historical Marker contest championed by Supervisor Palchik. This contest encouraged FCPS students to submit historical marker ideas to highlight the achievements of Black/African American community members and/or places of significance. Oakton High School was selected due to Ms. Blackwell’s connection to the community and her efforts to desegregate Fairfax County Public Schools.