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A close-up view of a blue graduation cap decorated with gold lettering that reads “NEXT CHAPTER,” surrounded by pink flowers, small gems, and gold decorative accents. The cap sits on a person’s head, with a blurred background of other graduates wearing similar caps.

Direct Admission Partnership with George Mason University Helps Lower Barriers to Higher Education

LCPS

June 15, 2026

LCPS partnered with George Mason University in 2025/26 to offer a direct-admission program for eligible seniors at three high schools. Students at Dominion, Park View and Potomac Falls high schools who earned a 3.25 GPA or higher by the end of their junior year were automatically granted admission to GMU. The number of students from the three schools planning to attend GMU next school year increased by 35% from the previous year, in part due to the program's success. 

Students eligible for direct admission benefited from a simplified application and admissions process, along with the reassurance of guaranteed college acceptance. More than 550 students at participating schools were eligible for the direct admission program, and 350 completed the direct admission application. 

The initiative opened a streamlined pathway to higher education and gave students greater confidence as they planned their futures. 

“The GMU Direct Admission Program is an amazing opportunity for our students,” said Potomac Falls School Counselor Mary Meinhardt. “During the initial year, our students appreciated the calm that comes with knowing they are already accepted into college, and it happens to be a college that offers incredible programs that set students up for lifelong success. We are excited to continue building a more accessible bridge to higher education!

“The GMU/LCPS direct admissions program is an incredible opportunity for our students. By guaranteeing acceptance for eligible seniors, the program removes some of the most significant barriers that often stand between students and higher education. This initiative gives students the confidence to see themselves as college‑bound and opens doors that might otherwise feel out of reach.”

For next year’s Class of 2027, LCPS will expand the GMU Direct Admission Program to all graduating seniors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Twelfth‑grade students and their families can expect to receive additional details about the program this summer and again at the start of the new school year in August. In the meantime, learn more at LCPS Direct Admission and the GMU Direct Admission webpage.