Appendix B: Glossary of Terms
ACL (Academies of Loudoun)
The STEM magnet campus operated by Loudoun County Public Schools, located at 42075 Loudoun Academy Drive in Leesburg, Virginia. ACL houses three separate programs --- AOS, AET, and MATA --- on a shared 119-acre campus. Students attend ACL on alternating days while remaining enrolled at their home high school.
AOS (Academy of Science)
The most selective of the three ACL programs, focused on research-driven STEM education. AOS students take integrated math and science courses in Years 1-2 and conduct independent research in Years 3-4. The curriculum emphasizes scientific inquiry, advanced mathematics, and original research at a level similar to undergraduate-level work. Acceptance rates have been approximately 4-5%.
AET (Academy of Engineering and Technology)
The applied STEM program at ACL, offering three tracks: Engineering, Information Technology/Computer Science, and Entrepreneurship. Like AOS, AET uses an integrated math and science curriculum. AET students focus on building, designing, coding, and solving real-world problems within their chosen track. AET also has an Advanced AET pathway for students entering in 10th grade.
Advanced AET
A separate admissions pathway that allows current 10th-grade LCPS students to enter the AET program starting in 11th grade. Advanced AET is available for the Engineering and IT/Computer Science tracks only (not Entrepreneurship). Unlike the standard 8th-grade application, Advanced AET admissions are based on PSAT/SAT/ACT scores, a writing assessment, an interest statement, and academic record rather than the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment. Applications open during the winter admissions cycle. Important disqualifier: Students who are currently enrolled in or have already completed AP Calculus BC are ineligible for Advanced AET.
MATA (Monroe Advanced Technical Academy)
The career and technical education program at ACL, designated as a Virginia Governor's STEM Academy. MATA offers 26 CTE pathway options spanning health sciences, information technology, skilled trades, culinary arts, and more. MATA is designed to prepare students for both college and direct workforce entry, with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications. Admissions are lottery-based.
STEM Thinking Skills Assessment
A standardized test created by Insight Assessment, used as one of three components in the blind admissions process for AOS and AET. The test measures five metrics: Overall critical reasoning, Out-of-the-Box Algebra, Spatial-Relational Thinking, Tech Logic, and Scientific Thinking. It is scored on a scale of 260 to 300, consists of 33 graphic and scenario-based questions administered over 50 minutes on a Secure Online Platform using LCPS laptops, is timed, and does not allow calculator use. Only administered to 8th-grade applicants in the Fall Track.
LCPS GO
The Loudoun County Public Schools student and family portal where students access the Academies admissions application, manage enrollment, accept or decline offers, and handle other school-related functions. The Student Opportunities section within LCPS GO is where the ACL application is found when the admissions window is open.
Blind Admissions
The admissions model used by LCPS for AOS and AET since 2020. Under blind admissions, all personal identifying information (name, school, race, ethnicity) is stripped from applications before review. Decisions are based entirely on three factors: STEM Thinking Skills Assessment score, Writing Assessment score, and academic record (grades and math enrollment). Identifying information is reattached only after all decisions are finalized.
CTE (Career and Technical Education)
A broad category of courses and programs that prepare students for specific career fields through hands-on, practical training. MATA is LCPS's flagship CTE program at the Academies, but many LCPS high schools also offer CTE courses in various career clusters. CTE pathways can lead to industry certifications, college credit, and direct employment.
Dual Enrollment
An arrangement where a high school student simultaneously earns high school credit and college credit for the same course. In LCPS, dual enrollment is typically offered through a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). Dual enrollment courses appear on both the high school transcript and a college transcript, giving students a head start on college credits.
Alternating Day Schedule (A/B Schedule)
The scheduling model used at ACL where students attend the Academies campus on "A" days and their home high school on "B" days. The days alternate throughout the school week. LCPS provides bus transportation between home schools and the ACL campus. This schedule means every ACL student is effectively enrolled at two schools simultaneously.
Governor's STEM Academy
A designation from the Virginia Department of Education recognizing programs that deliver rigorous career and technical education in STEM fields. MATA holds this designation, which signals that the program meets state standards for advanced CTE instruction, industry partnerships, and workforce preparation.
Insight Assessment
The testing company that develops and administers the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment used in ACL admissions. Insight Assessment is a division of California Academic Press and specializes in measuring reasoning and critical thinking skills. They produce assessments used by educational institutions and organizations nationwide and are based in California.
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
A standardized test administered by the College Board, typically taken by 10th and 11th graders. For ACL purposes, the PSAT/NMSQT score is one of the evaluation criteria for the Advanced AET admissions pathway. The test measures reading, writing, and math skills and also serves as the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship recognition.
Integrated Curriculum
An educational approach used by both AOS and AET where traditionally separate subjects (such as algebra and geometry, or physics and chemistry) are taught as interconnected disciplines within a single course or course sequence. At ACL, integrated math and science courses combine content that would normally be spread across multiple standard LCPS courses, allowing students to see connections between disciplines and progress at an accelerated pace. AOS/AET integrated courses carry 0.5 (Honors) or 1.0 (AP) GPA weight, which is calculated into the student's home-school GPA.
Writing Assessment
One of the three components of the blind admissions process for AOS and AET. The Writing Assessment is a strict 45-minute timed exercise administered on LCPS laptops (typed, not handwritten). It uses a Multi-Part Scenario format (Parts A, B, C) and is scored on a 0-10 scale across five dimensions, each scored 0-2: Questioning/Processing, Information Gathering/Analysis, Fluency/Originality, Presentation/Reasoning, and Point of View/Perspective. Grammar, spelling, and syntax do not count toward the score --- the assessment evaluates thinking quality, not mechanical writing skills. Along with the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment and the academic record, the Writing Assessment carries significant weight in admissions decisions.
SOL (Standards of Learning)
Virginia's state academic standards and associated standardized tests. Students must pass certain SOL tests to earn "verified credits" required for graduation. ACL students take the same SOL tests as other LCPS students --- for example, AET Integrated Science II students take the SOL Chemistry test as part of their coursework.
Home High School
The LCPS high school a student is zoned to attend based on their residential address. ACL students remain enrolled at their home high school throughout their time in the Academies, attending it on B days for non-ACL courses (English, social studies, world languages, electives, PE). Students participate in sports, clubs, and activities at their home school and graduate with a diploma from their home school.