Dear Seniors and Parents of the Class of 2025:

It will be June before we know it and the Oakton High School, Class of 2025, will be receiving their diplomas. We have enjoyed the start of the school year and have had a few events already celebrating the Class of 2025 including the Senior Sunrise and Senior Panoramic. 

Throughout the year we will continue to send updated senior letters to provide additional detail and clarity surrounding the school year and plans for the Class of 2025.  We are also holding a parent coffee for Class of 2025 families to discuss plans for the year, as outlined below, and answer any questions you may have.  It will be on October 9, 2024 at 9:00am via zoom.  The brief presentation and recording will be available through Schoology for any families unable to attend.  

Dates of Interest: 

• October 15-17: 3rd Senior Portrait Opportunity
• November 20: Final Senior Portrait Opportunity
• May 5-16: AP Exams (Schedule) 
• May 21-27 Senior exams (Tentative Dates) 
• May 28-30 : Senior Activity Dates (On these dates we will hold two mandatory graduation rehearsals, the senior sunset and the senior awards ceremony.  Final dates and times have yet to be determined but will be out soon.) 
• June 2: Graduation, 2:00pm  (George Mason University - EagleBank Arena)

Below you will find information on the following topics: 

• Senior Panoramic
• Senior Portraits
• Senior “Skip” Days 
• Senior Dues
• Senior T-shirt
• Yearbook 
• Senior Ads
• Oakton Internship Program
• Senior Exams
• Senior Awards Ceremony
• Graduation Rehearsals 
• Cap & Gown Information 
• Senior Sunset 
• Graduation 
• All Night Graduation Party (ANGP) 

Sincerely,

Jamie S. Lane, Principal

Mary Landis, Assistant Principal, Senior Class Administrator 

Senior Panoramic

The Class of 2025 took their Senior Panoramic photo in the stadium on Friday, September 20.  Pre-order your copy of the senior panoramic by visiting this website.  Once the photograph is ready additional ordering information will be released.  

Senior Portraits

Senior portraits have been scheduled with Victor O’Neill Studios. The first two sessions were completed in June and August.   Additional senior Portrait opportunities for the Class of 2025 are available on: October 15-17, 2024 and  November 20, 2024 (final opportunity).  

Information will be provided to families in advance of each photo session so that you may sign-up for a designated time slot. 

Even if you do not plan on purchasing these photographs, they are used for the yearbook.  

Senior “Skip” Days

Every year senior students across the country organize “senior skip days” where many senior students decide to not attend school during a regularly scheduled day. These days are not recognized by Oakton High School as we follow the adopted FCPS school year calendar. Our teachers will continue as planned with their lessons and instruction. Students will be responsible for learning all material they may miss.

If a parent calls a senior out for a “senior skip day” the attendance code used will be “UNL”. That code means that while you are aware your child is not in school, it is not for a reason deemed an excused absence from the school perspective. Information on FCPS attendance policies can be found here. Please also note that any absence contributes to Oakton High School’s overall chronic absenteeism rate which impacts Oakton’s state accreditation. 

Senior Dues

Senior Dues are collected each year to pay for the associated costs of graduation. The cost of this year’s senior dues will be $65.   Senior dues can be paid through MySchoolBucks or by check made payable to Oakton High School with “senior dues” written in the memo line. 

Senior dues should have been paid no later than Tuesday, April 30, 2025. 

Any student who has free or reduced lunch status can speak with their school counselor regarding payment options. 

Senior Dues help pay for the following: 

• School buses used to transport students in performing arts to the EagleBank Arena to provide the music for graduation.
• Stage flowers 
• Senior Events (Sunrise, Sunset, etc.) 
• Cap, gown, and one tassel 
• Diploma and Diploma cover
• Graduation programs

Senior T-Shirt

Soon we will be accepting designs for the Class of 2025 senior t-shirt. An announcement will be posted on the Class of 2025 Schoology page asking for design ideas. Once the designs are submitted and the final design selected, we will make seniors and parents aware so you may order a shirt for your student if you wish to do so.  These are completely optional.  

Yearbook Purchase 

The time to purchase a yearbook is now! The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices will increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out. 

Senior Ads: 

As we approach the exciting culmination of your student's high school journey, we want to offer you a special opportunity to celebrate their achievements and create a lasting memory that they will cherish for years to come. Our 2024-2025 Yearbook includes the option to purchase a personalized yearbook page for your child (Senior Ad). 

This year, we are offering the following senior ad page sizes to accommodate all preferences and budgets:

• Full Page - $450
• Half Page - $225
• Quarter Page - $120
• Eighth Page - $65

Whether you choose a heartfelt message, a collection of photos, or a combination of both, this senior ad is a perfect way to highlight your student's unique accomplishments, friendships, and experiences. It will serve as a lasting memory for you and them to look back on.

To reserve a page, please contact Mr. Fortner, the Oakton High School yearbook advisor. The deadline for purchasing senior ads is December 13th. His email address is: @email. 

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 together and helping you create a lasting memory that you and your seniors will treasure forever!

Oakton Internship Program 

Eligible seniors may participate in the Oakton Internship Program during the final weeks of the school year. Seniors may arrange to intern at local businesses, schools, or service organizations. The intent of this experience is to benefit Oakton seniors by helping them explore a possible area of interest for their future, which provides them a real world experience putting academic interests in action in a non-academic setting. This year’s Oakton Internship Program dates will be finalized soon.  

Participating seniors will finish all of their classes and coursework prior to the start of the internship and be exempt from any senior final exams during the internship dates. This internship must be secured by the student at the time of his/her application. Immediate family members (parents or siblings) may not serve as the sponsor for a student’s internship.  

All information about the Oakton Internship program will be reviewed with the senior class during the school year, beginning with an introductory presentation as part of the Candidates Day program. The internship application will open on February 7th and close on April 11th, 2025.  

Our current tentative timeline for the internship will be May 14-May 23, 2025.  Students will present in an Exhibition of Learning on May 27, 2025 to highlight their experience and the lessons learned during their internship.  

Senior Exams

Senior final exams are  tentatively scheduled for May 21-May 27, 2025.  

Senior Awards Ceremony

Our senior awards ceremony will be one of the senior activity days May 28-30.   We are currently finalizing our end-of-year calendar.   This event recognizes a large number of our senior students on their accomplishments and is open for all seniors to attend. Recognitions include honor graduates and department awards. More information to come on this event later in the school year. 

Graduation Rehearsals - Mandatory 

We will host two graduation rehearsals for our seniors in advance of graduation.  We are currently finalizing graduation rehearsal schedules.  Students should plan to be in attendance at school activities and events on May 28, May 29 and May 30. 

Attendance at both graduation rehearsals is mandatory for students who wish to participate in our graduation ceremony. This helps us ensure that graduation runs smoothly. Students who do not attend graduation rehearsals will not be permitted to attend the graduation ceremony. No one will be excused from rehearsal unless prior approval is granted by Mrs. Landis, Class of 2025 Administrator. 

At rehearsals we will review the entire graduation program and provide seating arrangements and directions on the processional and recessional. In addition, we will practice all student names to ensure they are read correctly at the graduation ceremony. During this time we will also distribute caps and gowns to students. All outstanding obligations (textbook fines, library fines, parking fines, AP exam fees, senior dues, etc.) must be paid in order for a student to collect his/her cap and gown. 

Cap and Gown Information

Cap and Gown Information Cap and gown orders will be handled through the company Jostens at OAKTON HS CLASS OF 2025 (google.com). The caps and gowns are included in the senior fees.  The caps and gowns will be given to the students at one of the graduation rehearsals towards the end of May.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Pat Full at @email. 

Senior Sunset

We will be holding our final senior celebration event on one of our senior activity days (May 28-30).  The final date will be sent in the next senior letter. Refreshments will be provided to students. More details to come! 

Graduation

Graduation for the Class of 2025 will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 2:00pm at EagleBank Arena, George Mason University. For directions and a map, please check the EagleBank Arena website. 

Each year we plan a respectful and dignified ceremony that will require everyone’s cooperation. No messages on caps or gowns, noisemakers, or any other inappropriate toys or items such as signs, balls, balloons, etc. will be permitted. Those who violate the formal and secure atmosphere may be escorted from the arena at the discretion of school personnel and/or Eaglebank arena staff. 

• No tickets are necessary to attend our graduation ceremony.  Due to the large size of EagleBank Arena, we can accommodate all guests you hope to invite to celebrate the Class of 2025. 
• If a family will require a sign-language interpreter please make that request, in writing, by emailing Mrs. Mary Landis at @email  by April 25, 2025. 
• Transportation to EagleBank Arena is not provided by the school. Due to the time of our graduation ceremony, families are encouraged to plan their trip to account for natural delays due to rush hour traffic, etc.  
•  Dress Code: 
  • Business casual attire: (Examples provided below) 
    • Examples: Light colored collared shirt with a tie, Khaki/Dress slacks; Dress 
• Dress shoes Recommended
  • Students will be standing in lines prior to their processional.  In addition, they will have to walk up and down a ramp to access the graduation stage.  We ask that students consider this when selecting their shoe choice.  
  • To keep with our dignified ceremony we ask that students avoid sneakers or flip flops for the occasion. 
• Students and families will be informed where their graduate will be seated at Graduation.  This will help families and guests make an informed decision on the side of the arena they wish to sit.  
• Students will only be permitted to have their car key with them and no cell phones. Please make plans with your family in advance for a meeting place outside of EagleBank Arena. 
• Carpooling with your student is recommended and encouraged.  

All-Night Graduation Party (ANGP) 

The ANGP is hosted by the PTSA every year.  For the ANGP to run annually, parent volunteers are needed to work with the PTSA executive board to plan the event.  The PTSA is currently looking for ANGP chairs for the Class of 2025, ANGP.  If you are interested, please contact the Oakton HS PTSA at: @email.