Students weaved through tables lined with posters, tri-folds, images, and course descriptions during McLean’s annual Electives Fair, an event designed to give students a closer look at potential classes for the upcoming school year. Through three separate rotations, freshmen, sophomores and juniors passed through the gym.
Representatives from a wide range of departments, including fine arts, social studies and academy programs, were on hand to answer questions and share what their courses have to offer. Tables were staffed with teachers and current students, allowing visitors to hear both instructional perspectives and student experiences.
For many underclassmen, it was their first opportunity to see the full scope of electives available at McLean.
“It’s great for the underclassmen, especially freshmen,” social studies teacher Annie Daggett said. “They don’t always know what’s available at the school other than word of mouth, so being able to physically see the options and talk directly to teachers makes a big difference.”
Daggett was representing AP African American Studies, a course that has had growing interest across multiple grade levels.
At various stands, students took on the role of representatives for their classes, helping to answer questions regarding the general course information and class environment.
“It’s really nice to be able to influence people to join because I found it a very fun class and I want other people to experience that too,”said freshman Leah Stearns, who is currently enrolled in and representing Film Study. “A lot of theater kids have been interested, but also people who just want a chill elective.”
For some students, the fair was less about committing to a specific class and more about understanding potential future options.
“The event gives you an idea of what’s to come,” freshman Elizabeth Polizzi said. “There are so many AP classes, and it’s kind of overwhelming, but I found it helpful to see just what’s available.”
While students focused on exploring possibilities, teachers said many conversations centered on preparation and workload.
“I saw a lot of former students and freshmen who were curious,” social studies teacher Ryan Abrams said. “They were asking what the workload is like, what topics we cover and whether it might be their first Advanced Placement course. That genuine interest is the best part.”
Abrams, who was representing AP Marco/Microeconomics, also expressed that word-of-mouth representation from current students has increased interest in the course.
In addition to in-house electives, students were also able to learn about outside-of-school academy courses and speciality programs offered throughout Fairfax County.
“The Electives Fair is an important way to expose students to career-focused pathways,” said Sean McCourt, an Academy Council representative from Chantilly. “This is my favorite time of the school year—helping students think about their next step and whether a class might help them in the future. Many of the courses you can take at academies lead to certifications and excellent scholarship opportunities after graduation.”
