Academic Advising & Course Selection
Course Catalogs, selection sheets, pacing, sequencing, process guides and more
Choosing Courses for Next School Year 2026-27
The purpose of academic advising, K-12, is to guide and support students in their educational journey. It aims to empower students to become self-directed learners and make informed decisions about their education and future. During this time, our students will obtain important information about Herndon’s programs, services, and resources. School counselors assist students in organizing their program of study, researching answers, and creating academic plans. They provide critical information about course placement, prerequisites, sequencing, and course selection information.
Your child will bring home their course selection materials. You must review this information with your student, as course offerings are dependent upon enrollment, and school staffing decisions are based on the course selections students make. By meeting with their school counselors, students will be able to determine what is needed to make the best of their academic journey, create a strategy to graduate on time, and navigate the system to learn what is needed to transform their dreams into reality.
General Academic Advising Resources
Grade specific information can be found further down on this page.
Overview of Middle School Curriculum
Each student at Carson Middle School will take seven classes each semester. Five of the seven periods are filled with courses that are required for all students: English, math, social studies, science, and physical education. The remaining two periods are filled with a combination of yearlong and/or semester courses from the following departments: visual or performing arts, business and information technology, family and consumer science, world languages, and engineering.
To supplement the regular education curriculum, several courses are offered to give students additional support in developing English and math skills necessary for success at the high school level. Carson Middle School also provides ESOL and SPED classes to support students’ academic needs.
For more detailed information on courses offered at Carson Middle School, view the course catalog and the information below.
Timeline of Academic Advising
| Date | Activity | Student Group |
| December 1, 2025 | Elementary Counselors Visit RCMS to hear about Course Selection Process | Rising 7th |
| January 7, 2026 | Chantilly High School Curriculum Night 6:00pm-8:00pm | Rising 9th |
| January 8, 2026 | Oakton High School Curriculum Night 4:30pm-6:30pm South Lakes High School Curriculum Night 6:30pm-8:00pm Herndon High School Curriculum Night 6:30pm-8:00pm |
Rising 9th |
| January 8-13, 2026 | Rachel Carson Counselors Visit Feeder Elementary Schools | Rising 7th |
| January 13, 2026 | Westfield High School Curriculum Night 6:00pm-8:00pm | Rising 9th |
| January 14, 2026 | High School Course Selection Overview Presentation by Oakton, Chantilly, Westfield, Herndon, South Lakes high school counselors through Panther Time Classes | Rising 9th |
| January 14, 2026 | Middle School Course Selection Overview Presentation through Panther Time classes |
Rising 8th |
| January 15, 2026 *Snow Date January 22 |
Rachel Carson Middle School Curriculum Night | Rising 7th |
| January 20 & 21, 2026 | Academic Advising Presentation for Rising 9th students in Science Class | Rising 9th |
| January 22 & 23, 2026 | Academic Advising Presentation for Rising 8th students in Science Class | Rising 8th |
| January 27-February 28, 2026 | 1:1 Academic Advising for Rising 9th students with School Counselors through Science Class | Rising 9th |
| February 4, 2026 | Student Services Family Workshop Presents: Math Night from 6:00-7:00pm | Rising 8th |
| February 24-27, 2026 | Elementary Schools Visit to RCMS (Student Tour and Orientation) | Rising 7th |
| February 2-27. 2026 | 1:1 Academic Advising for Rising 8th students with School Counselors through Science classes | Rising 8th |
Course Catalog Booklet
7th and 8th grade course catalog - 2026-2027 Course Catalog
Electives Video
You can view videos from some of our Core and Elective teachers HERE .
Multilingual Learners/ESOL Program
You can learn about our program for Multilingual learners with this video .
Special Education Program
You can learn more about our Special Education program with this slide deck .
Mathematics Program
Math Course Pathway Resources
- Video: Math Course Pathways for AP Schools
- Video: Math Course Pathways for IB Schools
- Math Pathway Course Explorer for AP Schools - Interactive Resource for Students and Parents
- Math Pathway Course Explorer for IB Schools - Coming Soon!
- Presentation from Math Night
- Course offerings flyer from Math Night
For more information about mathematics course sequencing, please visit the FCPS Public Website for Mathematics .
Taking Honors Classes
Are you interested in taking honors classes in middle school? Check out this helpful information!
7th Grade Course Catalog
8th Grade Course Catalog
General Academic Advising Information for All Carson Students
Advanced Academics in Middle School
FCPS Graduation Requirements
Rising 7th Grade
Rising 7th Grade Academic Advising Information
Curriculum Night Information
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night Presentation
You can view this Curriculum Night presentation prior to attending our Curriculum Night Open House on January 16.
Sample Course Selection Sheet (Rising 7th)
This is a sample only. Please do not use this sample sheet to submit selections. Elementary school Counselors will provide your student with the official selection sheet.
Core and Elective Videos
Panther Pathways Booklet
Descriptions of Elective Courses can be found in our Panther Pathways Booklet
Online Course Catalog (Rising 7th)
7th Grade Course Selection Online
How to Enter your Course Selection in a Google Form
For our current 6th graders, you will be entering your course selection in a Google Form. Watch this video for directions on this process.
Student Survival Guide for the Transition to Middle School
Check out our Middle School Survival Guide
Rising 8th Grade
Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising Information
Course Selection Sheet (Rising 8th)
This is a sample only. Please do not use this sample sheet to submit selections. Elementary school Counselors will provide your student with the official selection sheet.
Math Night
Please join our math department for a Math Night on February 4 th from 6-7 PMin the Bickford Theatre at Rachel Carson Middle School. Come learn more about math offerings and course sequencing at RCMS and in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). This presentation is designed primarily for caregivers of rising eighth graders.
Online Course Catalog (Rising 8th)
Online Course Catalog for 8th Grade
Core and Elective Videos
Panther Pathways
Descriptions of Elective Courses can be found in our Panther Pathways Booklet
How to Enter your Course Selection in StudentVue
For our current 7th and 8th graders, you will be entering your course selections in StudentVue. Watch this video for directions on this process.
Rising 9th Grade
***Please subscribe to your child’s base high school News You Choose messages for the most up-to-date information about 9 th grade transition. You can enroll here . Unsure what school your child will attend in 9 th grade? Click here to access the FCPS boundary locator .***
Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising Information
*Snow dates for curriculum nights at the high schools have been updated in each of the school's tabs below.
Westfield High School Information
Westfield High School Curriculum Night is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm
You can access Westfield High School's Academic Advising information here .
Chantilly HIGH School Information
Chantilly High School Curriculum Night is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm
You can access Chantilly High School's Academic Advising information here .
Oakton High School Information
Oakton High School Curriculum Night is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2026 from 4:30-6:30pm.
You can access Oakton High School's Academic Advising Information here.
South Lakes High School Information
South Lakes High School Curriculum Night is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2026 from 6:30-8:00pm
You can access South Lakes High School's Academic Advising Information here.
Herndon High School Information
Herndon High School Curriculum Night is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 6:30-8:00pm
You can access Herndon High School's Academic Advising Information here.
How to Enter your Course Selection in StudentVue
For our current 7th and 8th graders, you will be entering your course selections in StudentVue. Watch this video for directions on this process.
