Academies of Loudoun Admissions: Dates, Tests and How to Prepare
Everything Loudoun families need to know about applying to the Academy of Science (AOS) and the Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET): who can apply, the 2026–27 dates, what the test measures and how to get ready.
See Our AOS & AET Prep ProgramThe short version
- The Academies of Loudoun (ACL) is an LCPS STEM campus in Leesburg. AOS and AET students spend every other school day there and stay enrolled at their home high school.
- 8th graders in Algebra I or higher apply in the fall. The 2026 window ran August 24 to October 15.
- Applicants take two assessments: a STEM thinking-skills test and a timed writing assessment. In 2026 both are on November 12.
- Offers come out in spring 2027. Review is blind, and LCPS publishes no minimum score.
The programs
| Program | What students do | A good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Science (AOS) | Advanced math, science and research. Students take integrated science and math courses, then science research with a faculty mentor in grades 10, 11 and 12. | Students who love science and want to do real research in high school. |
| Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET) | Engineering or computer systems pathways, each ending in junior and senior research, plus an entrepreneurship pathway. | Students who like to design, build and code. |
| Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA) | Hands-on career and technical pathways, mostly in grades 11–12. Applied for in high school, not in 8th grade. | Students heading toward a specific career or certification. |
Not sure between the Academies and TJ? See our AOS vs AET vs TJ comparison.
Who can apply
| Grade | Current 8th graders enrolled in LCPS (fall cycle, AOS and AET) |
| Math | Enrolled in Algebra I or higher at the time of application |
| Grades | C or better in all grade 6 and 7 math and science, grade 8 math (semester 1) and grade 8 science (quarter 2). This is a pass/fail requirement, not a scored factor. |
| Other applicants | Private and homeschool students contact LCPS Admissions and Outreach |
2026–27 timeline
Grade 7
Final math and science grades in grades 6 and 7 must be C or better. Make sure 8th grade math will be Algebra I or higher.
Aug 24 – Oct 15, 2026
Fall application window for 8th graders (AOS and AET). Each program needs its own application, approved by a parent in ParentVUE.
Nov 12, 2026
Academies of Loudoun admission test and writing assessment, during the school day at the student's middle school.
Spring 2027
Offers released in the LCPS admissions portal (typically March). Waitlisted students are notified as seats open.
Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027
Winter cycle for high school students (Advanced AET and MATA). The Advanced AET test is reported for Jan 23, 2027.
The two assessments
STEM thinking-skills test
A multiple-choice test of reasoning through unfamiliar problems. In past cycles LCPS described it as 33 questions in 50 minutes; LCPS has not published the 2026 length. Questions draw on six kinds of thinking:
- Algebra, ratios and rates (work and fill rates, percent change, three-part ratios)
- Math puzzles (clocks, calendars, patterns, counting)
- Spatial thinking (cube nets, folding, rotating figures)
- Tech logic (circuits, logic gates, flowcharts)
- Scientific thinking (experiments, controls, data)
- Critical reasoning (deduction, conditional statements)
Writing assessment
A short, timed response to a prompt with no advance preparation. Prep companies citing LCPS's 2026 materials report 30 minutes, scoring on five indicators, and that grammar and spelling are not counted against students. That makes clear thinking, a defended position and logical organization the skills to build.
How selection works
Eligible applicants are reviewed on their STEM test score, their writing assessment and their grades. LCPS publishes no minimum score and no weighting between these, and applicants cannot add recommendation letters or portfolios. Since 2024, admissions have been blind: an applicant's personal details are not linked to the application until a decision is made.
How to prepare, by grade
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Grade 6 | Keep C or better in math and science. Choose a math path that reaches Algebra I by 8th grade. |
| Grade 7, fall – winter | Build algebra fluency: equations, functions, systems, exponents. |
| Grade 7, winter – spring | Ratios, rates, percents, work problems, probability; start timed writing. |
| Grade 7, spring – summer | Spatial reasoning, logic and circuits, scientific thinking; regular essays with feedback. |
| Summer before grade 8 | Mixed review of every area at test difficulty. |
| Grade 8, fall | Full timed STEM tests and timed writing simulations until test day. |
This is exactly how our year-long AOS and AET program is built: five phases from September of 7th grade, with one hour of STEM and one hour of writing in every class.
Questions parents ask
Can my child apply to both AOS and AET?+
Yes. Each program needs its own application, and both use the same tests. If admitted to both, a student enrolls in only one.
Do Academies students leave their home high school?+
No. Academies students attend the Academies of Loudoun campus in Leesburg every other school day and their home high school on the other days, so they keep their home school friends, clubs and sports.
Is there a minimum test score?+
LCPS does not publish a minimum score or a weighting formula. Applications are reviewed blind: personal details are not linked to an application until a decision is made.
What is on the writing assessment?+
A short, timed written response to a prompt, with no time to prepare in advance. Recent prep-company reports, citing LCPS materials, put it at 30 minutes in 2026 (45 minutes in earlier cycles) and say grammar and spelling are not counted against students, so ideas, reasoning and organization matter most.
Can private or homeschooled students apply?+
Private and homeschool applicants should contact LCPS Admissions and Outreach directly. Residency requirements apply.
When should preparation start?+
Ideally in 7th grade. The STEM test rewards reasoning built over time, and the writing assessment rewards steady practice. Our year-long program starts in September of 7th grade, with entry at the start of every phase.
See where your child stands
Every family starts with a timed diagnostic at our Ashburn center and a placement talk. Classes enroll a maximum of 10 students.
Sources
Last checked November 1, 2026. Admissions details are set by LCPS and FCPS and can change; always confirm on their official pages.