Free ACL admissions tool

Academies of Loudoun Eligibility Checker

Can your child apply? Choose the application, answer a few short questions, and we will check them against the published LCPS requirements for 2026-27. It takes about a minute.

Which application?

Fall AOS and AET8th grade Advanced AET10th or 11th grade MATA10th or 11th grade

Choose an application to see its questions.

1.Does your family live in Loudoun County?

LCPS requires Loudoun County residency, with continuous residency.

Yes, and we are not planning to move We moved recently or are movingInto, out of, or within the county No, we live outside Loudoun County

2.What kind of school does your student attend?

PublicPrivateHomeschool

3.What grade is your student in now?

8th grade 7th grade or younger 9th grade or above

4.Is your student enrolled in Algebra I or a higher math course?

YesNoNot sure

5.Did your student earn a final grade of C or higher in every Grade 6 and Grade 7 math and science course?

Choose “Not sure” if a grade is missing, for example from a school outside LCPS.

YesNoNot sure

6.Is your student at C or higher in Grade 8 Math (Semester 1) and Grade 8 Science (Quarter 2)?

These grades are posted later in the year. If they are not posted yet, say so.

YesNoNot posted yetNot sure

The Published Requirements

These are the LCPS requirements for 2026-27, grouped by application. Meeting them means a student can apply; it does not predict admission.

Fall AOS and AET (8th grade)

Residency: Loudoun County resident, with continuous residency. Public, private, and homeschool students may apply.
Grade and math: In grade 8 and enrolled in Algebra I or above.
Grades: A final grade of C or higher in all Grade 6 and Grade 7 math and science courses, Grade 8 Math (Semester 1), and Grade 8 Science (Quarter 2).
Application and testing: A separate application for AOS and for AET, approved by a parent or guardian in ParentVUE by October 15, 2026 at 12:00 noon ET. Applicants take the Writing Assessment (30 minutes, 0 to 10 rubric) and the 2026 Academies of Loudoun Admission Test on November 12, 2026. LCPS says, “There are no benchmarks or minimum scores required.”

Advanced AET (10th or 11th grade)

Math: Enrolled in or completed Math Analysis, AP Precalculus, Precalculus DE, or AP Calculus AB. Students currently in or who have completed AP Calculus BC are not eligible.
Science: Two science credits by the end of 10th grade.
Grades: A grade of C or above in all grade 9 courses and all Semester 1 grade 10 courses.
Application and testing: Due January 15, 2027 at 12:00 noon ET. Admission uses a PSAT score (or an SAT or ACT score) and the Writing Assessment. The Advanced AET test is January 23, 2027. Pathways: Engineering or IT.

MATA (10th or 11th grade)

Math and GPA: Enrolled in Algebra I or above, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (3.0 for some dual-enrollment pathways).
Graduation: On track for on-time graduation.
CNA and EMT pathways: Students must be 16 by August 19, 2027.
Application and lottery: Due January 15, 2027 at 12:00 noon ET. MATA uses a lottery only when there are more qualified applicants than seats.

Students may enroll in only one Academies of Loudoun program. For every date, see the ACL admissions countdown.

Academies of Loudoun Eligibility: Common Questions

Who can apply to the Academies of Loudoun in the fall?

The fall cycle is for 8th graders who live in Loudoun County, including public, private, and homeschool students. LCPS requires enrollment in Algebra I or above and a final grade of C or higher in all Grade 6 and Grade 7 math and science courses, Grade 8 Math (Semester 1), and Grade 8 Science (Quarter 2).

Is there a minimum test score for AOS or AET?

No. Applicants take the Writing Assessment and the 2026 Academies of Loudoun Admission Test, and LCPS says there are no benchmarks or minimum scores required.

Who can apply to Advanced AET?

Advanced AET is for 10th and 11th graders who are enrolled in or have completed Math Analysis, AP Precalculus, Precalculus DE, or AP Calculus AB, have two science credits by the end of 10th grade, and have a C or above in all grade 9 courses and all Semester 1 grade 10 courses. Students who are taking or have taken AP Calculus BC are not eligible.

What are the MATA requirements?

MATA applicants are in 10th or 11th grade, are enrolled in Algebra I or above, have a GPA of at least 2.0 (3.0 for some dual-enrollment pathways), and are on track to graduate on time. The CNA and EMT pathways require students to be 16 by August 19, 2027. MATA uses a lottery only when there are more qualified applicants than seats.

Can my child apply to more than one program?

AOS and AET have separate applications, and a student can submit both. A student may enroll in only one Academies of Loudoun program.

Does meeting the requirements mean my child will get in?

No. Meeting the published requirements means your student can apply. This checker does not predict admission, and LCPS makes the final eligibility decision.

Sources, last checked September 26, 2026

LCPS can change its dates and requirements, and its pages are the official record. Questions go to the LCPS admissions office at AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org or 571-252-1992. AcademiesPrep is an independent prep program and is not affiliated with the Academies of Loudoun or Loudoun County Public Schools.

Eligible is the starting line.

For 8th graders applying to AOS or AET, the free diagnostic shows where your student stands on STEM reasoning and the writing response before November 12.

Take the Free ACL Diagnostic