Choosing Courses for the 2026-27 School Year

Rising 7th Grade:

• Curriculum Night: Jan. 21 from 6-8 p.m.
• Academic advising presentations
• Course selection meetings

Rising 8th Grade:.

• Academic advising presentations: Jan. 20-23 (through Life Science classes)
• Course selection meetings: Feb. 3-6 (through HPE 7 classes)

Rising 9th Grade:

• Academic advising presentations and course selection
  • Falls Church HS:
    • Academic advising: Jan. 9 (through Advisory classes)
    • Course selection: Jan. 22 and 23 (through HPE 8 classes)
  • Oakton HS:
    • Academic advising: Feb. 11 (through Advisory classes)
  • Madison HS:
    • Academic advising: Feb. 13 (through Advisory classes)
• Oakton High School Curriculum Night: Jan.8
• Madison High School Curriculum Night: Jan. 13
• Falls Church High School Curriculum Night: Jan. 15

*Note: If your student is attending or applying to a high school other than these, course selection information for the 2026-27 school year will not be posted. Please contact your student’s current school counselor for guidance & next steps.

Course Catalog and Selection Sheets

• Course Offerings
• Rising 7th Grade Course Selection Sheet
• Rising 8th Grade Course Selection Sheet

• Jackson MS Course Catalog

At Luther Jackson Middle School, our dedicated Student Services team is committed to supporting the academic, personal, and social growth of all students. Led by Director of Student Services, Mr. Nick Zubieta, the team includes school counselors assigned by student last names:

• Ms. Jessica DeVault: Students with last names A-D
• Ms. Tracy Marquina: Students with last names E-Li
• Mr. Brian Tickle: Students with last names Lo-Ra
• Ms. Natasha Simmons: Students with last names Re-Z

Our counselors provide individual and group counseling, facilitate parent conferences, and offer career exploration opportunities to ensure each student achieves their full potential. For more information or to contact our Student Services staff, please visit our Student Services Staff page .

Rising 9th graders should regularly check their corresponding high school's Academic Advising website for important updates and resources to prepare for the upcoming school year. If you have any questions or need support, don't hesitate to reach out to the Director of Student Services at your school:

• Falls Church High School :  Jessica Grenfell
• Madison High School: Tim Buckley
• Oakton High School :  Jennifer Hogan
• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Make sure to stay informed and connected as you transition to high school!

• FCPS Graduation Requirements

FCPS honors courses, offered in both middle and high school, are designed as extensions of the FCPS Program of Studies. These courses challenge students through enriched learning experiences that build on their academic strengths and interests. Using the Parallel Curriculum Model, honors courses provide increased depth and complexity by incorporating critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and abstract approaches to content. These rigorous experiences help prepare students for future academic success.

Mathematics Honors Courses and Placement at Luther Jackson MS

For the 2026–27 school year, LJMS will be aligning with countywide mathematics pathways to ensure all students have access to Algebra 1 by 8th grade. Below are important updates and placement details for families:

7th Grade Mathematics Placement

• Math 7 and Math 7 Honors will not be offered at LJMS for the 2026–27 school year.
• All rising 7th graders will be placed into:
  • Pre-Algebra, or
  • Pre-Algebra Honors (for students who have not already qualified for Algebra 1 Honors or higher).
• Placement into Algebra 1 Honors for 7th grade now requires:
  • Successful completion of Advanced Mathematics 6, and
  • A score of 500 or higher (Pass Advanced) on the Advanced Math 6 SOL.
  • Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer required.

8th Grade Mathematics Placement

• All 8th graders will be enrolled in:
  • Algebra 1, or
  • Algebra 1 Honors (for students who have not already advanced to Geometry Honors or higher).
• This reflects the FCPS division wide expectation that all students complete Algebra 1 by the end of 8th grade.

Math Support Options for 2026–27

To ensure students receive the support they need to thrive in these accelerated pathways, LJMS will offer:

• Algebra 1 Lab: A double-block support class for 8th grade students who need additional time and instruction to be successful in Algebra 1.
• Power Math 7: A new support option for 7th grade students who need reinforcement of foundational math skills while enrolled in Pre-Algebra or Pre-Algebra Honors.

Luther Jackson Middle School is proud to serve as a Level IV Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Center, providing a full-time, rigorous academic experience for eligible students. Our program engages students in an accelerated curriculum in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, following the FCPS Program of Studies with increased depth, breadth, and pace. Learning emphasizes critical and creative thinking skills, interdisciplinary connections, and opportunities for independent research, inquiry, and reflection.

Eligibility for Full-Time AAP is determined through a central selection process.
For more information, please visit the FCPS AAP Full-Time Advanced Academic Program Services webpage . For more information on available family resources, visit the FCPS AAP Family Resources webpage or communicate with our AART, Ms. Laura Ballou at  @email .

FCPS Online Campus allows students to take an additional course online to supplement what they take in school. Online Campus offers a variety of standard, honors, and AP level courses, and also provides access to additional courses not offered at Luther Jackson MS. The online campus also has courses students can take over the summer, which can help students advance or catch up on academic credits earned towards graduation requirements. Students must let their counselor know if they’re interested in taking a course through Online Campus, and work with their counselor to complete the required registration paperwork. For more information on Online Campus course offerings, how online classes work in general, and the registration process please click the link below. 

FCPS Online Campus Site