McLean High School

McLean High School is a public high school located in McLean, Virginia, within the Fairfax County Public Schools district, near the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters and George Washington Memorial Parkway. The school serves students from McLean, Tysons Corner, and surrounding areas, including parts of Vienna, Virginia, and is known for its strong programs in STEM fields, such as mathematics, computer science, and engineering, with many students attending top universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of Virginia. Many students also participate in National Science Olympiad, Science Fair, and Robotics Club, and have won awards at competitions like Intel Science Talent Search and Siemens Competition. The school has a diverse student body, with students from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those from Embassy of the United States and Diplomatic Corps families.

● History

McLean High School was established in 1955, during a period of significant growth and development in Fairfax County, Virginia, with the help of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Virginia General Assembly. The school has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in the 1990s, which added new facilities like auditorium, gymnasium, and library, designed by Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum and built by Gilbane Building Company. The school has a rich history, with many notable events and achievements, including hosting President John F. Kennedy's speech in 1962, and visits from other notable figures like Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, and Stephen Hawking. The school has also been recognized for its academic excellence, receiving awards from National Blue Ribbon Schools and United States Department of Education, and has been ranked highly by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Post.

● Academics

McLean High School offers a wide range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses in subjects like English literature, calculus, and physics, as well as International Baccalaureate programs, and has partnerships with George Mason University, University of Maryland, and Northern Virginia Community College. The school has a strong focus on STEM education, with courses in computer programming, engineering design, and biotechnology, and has received grants from National Science Foundation and NASA. Many students also participate in academic competitions like National Merit Scholarship Program, National Achievement Scholarship Program, and American Mathematics Competitions, and have won awards at events like Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and International Olympiad in Informatics. The school's academic programs are designed to prepare students for success in higher education and beyond, with many graduates attending top universities like Harvard University, Princeton University, and California Institute of Technology.

● Athletics

McLean High School has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the Concorde District and Virginia High School League, and has won championships in sports like football, basketball, and soccer, with players going on to compete at the collegiate level at universities like University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and James Madison University. The school's athletic teams are known as the Highlanders, and have a long-standing rivalry with neighboring schools like Langley High School and Madison High School, with games often covered by local media outlets like Washington Post and Northern Virginia Daily. Many students also participate in individual sports like tennis, swimming, and track and field, and have won awards at events like Virginia State Championships and National Championships.

● Campus

The McLean High School campus is located on a 40-acre site in McLean, Virginia, near the intersection of Dolley Madison Boulevard and Great Falls Street, and is accessible by Washington Metro and Fairfax Connector. The campus features a range of facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, library, and auditorium, designed by Stantec and built by HITT Contracting. The school also has a number of athletic facilities, including a stadium, gymnasium, and tennis courts, and has partnerships with nearby organizations like McLean Community Center and Clemyjontri Park. The campus is also home to a number of student organizations and clubs, including National Honor Society, Key Club, and Environmental Club, which have won awards at events like Virginia State Convention and National Convention.

● Student Life

McLean High School has a diverse and active student body, with many students participating in extracurricular activities like music, art, and drama, with performances at events like Virginia State Thespian Festival and National Festival. The school has a range of student organizations and clubs, including Student Council, Debate Team, and Robotics Club, which have won awards at competitions like National Debate Tournament and FIRST Robotics Competition. Many students also participate in community service activities, volunteering at organizations like American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Local Food Bank, and have won awards at events like President's Volunteer Service Award and Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

● Notable Alumni

McLean High School has a number of notable alumni, including Ben Rosen, co-founder of Compaq, Paul Devlin, Olympic swimmer, and Grant Hill, NBA player, who have gone on to achieve success in fields like business, sports, and entertainment, with many attending top universities like University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and New York University. Other notable alumni include Katie Ledecky, Olympic swimmer, Christine Brennan, sports journalist, and David Gregory, journalist and author, who have won awards at events like Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award. The school's alumni network is active and engaged, with many graduates staying involved with the school and supporting current students through programs like Mentorship Program and Alumni Association.

Category:Public high schools in Virginia