Current eighth grade applicants to AOS or AET must be enrolled in Algebra I or above when they apply. LCPS also lists a C or above in the specified math and science courses as an admissions criterion. These are two related rules, but they are not the same rule.
The course rule asks where the student is placed at application time. The grade rule asks about the student's math and science record across grades 6, 7, and the first semester of grade 8. Checking only the current math class leaves half the academic picture unexamined.
Check this before discussing test prep
Confirm the exact eighth grade math course, then gather the final math and science grades from grades 6 and 7 and semester I of grade 8. If anything is unclear, ask the student's school how the record will appear. Do not wait for the assessment date to discover an academic eligibility question.
The two academic rules, side by side
The LCPS Admissions and Outreach page publishes identical fall criteria for AOS and AET:
| Rule | Official wording in plain English | The detail families miss |
|---|---|---|
| Math enrollment | The student is enrolled in Algebra I or a course above it at the time of application | This is about current placement, not just a past course |
| Math and science grades | Final grades of C or above in the courses and terms LCPS names | The record covers both subjects and more than one school year |
A student taking Geometry or another course above Algebra I satisfies the published math-enrollment level because LCPS says “Algebra I or above.” The rule does not say that every applicant must be in the same math course.
Exactly which grades LCPS lists
For the academic-record criterion, LCPS names final grades of C or above in:
- Math in grade 6
- Science in grade 6
- Math in grade 7
- Science in grade 7
- Math in semester I of grade 8
- Science in semester I of grade 8
This is why vague advice such as “grades matter” is not enough. A family should be able to point to each course and term that the official criterion includes. The current LCPS language names semester I of eighth grade, not the eventual year-end grade.
What a C-or-above threshold does and does not mean
A C or above is the grade level named in the published criterion. Meeting it does not guarantee admission. The LCPS admissions FAQ says applicants are evaluated across the entirety of the published criteria, which also include the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment and Writing Assessment.
The safest reading is literal: families should verify that the student meets the academic criterion, then understand that the full admissions decision involves the full published set. Claims about an unofficial preferred GPA, a secret grade formula, or one course that guarantees admission are not substitutes for LCPS guidance.
Official requirement versus practical advice
LCPS requires Algebra I or higher enrollment and lists the specified C-or-above grades. AcademiesPrep's advice is to protect a course placement in which the student can actually learn and perform consistently. “Take the highest math class possible” is not an LCPS admissions rule.
How this should change family planning
Do not let assessment prep damage the record
The application already considers school performance. If a packed prep schedule causes missed assignments, late nights, or weaker math and science work, the plan is working against one of the published criteria. During a demanding school week, shortening practice can be the more disciplined choice.
Do not confuse advanced placement with assessment readiness
A student in a course above Algebra I may still rush through unfamiliar diagrams or struggle to explain a line of reasoning. A student in Algebra I may reason carefully and communicate clearly. Course placement tells families whether the enrollment requirement is met. It does not diagnose every skill used on the assessments.
Use the academic record as information, not a label
If one term is weaker, ask what actually happened. Was the issue algebra fluency, interpreting word problems, incomplete work, an adjustment to middle school, or something outside the classroom? The answer can point to a useful next step. Simply telling a student to “try harder” rarely does.
After eligibility is clear, use our guide to build a balanced AOS/AET preparation plan or start with the free ACL Admissions Diagnostic to identify a more specific assessment bottleneck.
Algebra I and AOS/AET grade FAQs
Must an eighth grader be taking Algebra I to apply to AOS or AET?
The student must be enrolled in Algebra I or above at the time of application. A course above Algebra I also satisfies the published enrollment requirement.
Which grades count for AOS and AET admissions?
LCPS lists final math and science grades from grades 6 and 7 and semester I of grade 8. The published criterion is a C or above in those courses.
Does meeting the C-or-above grade criterion guarantee admission?
No. Meeting the published grade criterion does not guarantee admission. LCPS evaluates applicants across the full set of published criteria, including the academic record and both assessments.
Does Geometry satisfy the math enrollment rule?
Yes. The published rule is enrollment in Algebra I or above at the time of application, so a course above Algebra I satisfies that course-level requirement.
Continue your admissions check
- Review all four AOS and AET criteria
- See which materials stay outside the application
- Understand applying to both AOS and AET
- Read the ACL Admissions Overview
Source note
We used current LCPS admissions materials for every course and grade statement in this guide. The planning recommendations are AcademiesPrep guidance and are labeled separately from official requirements. AcademiesPrep by EduAvenues is independent and is not endorsed or sponsored by the Academies of Loudoun or Loudoun County Public Schools.
Official sources reviewed:
Fact-checked July 16, 2026. Confirm course and grade requirements on the current LCPS admissions page for the cycle in which your student applies.