Academic calendar
First Quarter 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fourth Quarter 2026
- First Quarter 2026Relevant now
- Second Quarter 2026-2027
- Third Quarter 2027
- Fourth Quarter 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 18 of 18 terms
A
- A/B/C/D Lunch
- The four specific lunch shifts assigned to students based on their 3rd or 4th period teacher's department.
- AVID
- Advancement Via Individual Determination, a program focused on college readiness and academic support.
C
- Culinary
- The student-run dining area associated with the Culinary Arts CTE program.
D
- DECA
- An association of marketing students that competes in business-related events.
E
- Eagle Pride
- The school's primary slogan used to express school spirit and community values.
- Eagles
- The official mascot and the term used to refer to the student body.
- Edison
- The common shorthand name for Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School.
- Edisonite
- A term occasionally used to refer to a student or alumnus of the school.
F
- FBLA
- Future Business Leaders of America, a student org focused on business and technical skills.
- FIRST
- The robotics organization that the school's competitive team participates in.
H
- HOSA
- Health Occupations Students of America, a prominent professional organization within the Edison Academy.
I
- IB
- International Baccalaureate, the school's rigorous academic program and diploma track.
S
- SGA
- Student Government Association, the primary student leadership organization.
- Shop
- A student's specific CTE major or the three-period block dedicated to that trade (e.g., 'I have shop next').
- Skills
- SkillsUSA, the primary national organization for CTE students that hosts competitions.
- SU
- The Student Union, responsible for organizing school-wide events and spirit days.
T
- Tech
- A reference to the school's identity as a technical and vocational institution.
- The Caf
- The main student cafeteria where breakfast and lunch are served.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- CAASS
- The Comprehensive Attendance, Administration, and Security System used to track student entry.
- CTE
- Career and Technical Education; the core curriculum structure where students major in a specific trade.
- Eagle Time
- A designated 30-minute block in the school schedule for students to receive academic support, attend meetings, or study.
- edison_cafeteria
- Edison Cafeteria
- Kiss and Ride
- The designated traffic loop for parents to drop off and pick up students safely.
- Red/White Days
- The block scheduling system where 'Red' days consist of odd-numbered periods and 'White' days consist of even-numbered periods.
- Schoology
- The learning management system where students access course materials, assignments, and class updates.
- SIS
- The Student Information System (StudentVUE), used by students to check their official grades, schedules, and attendance.
- Swipe in
- The process of scanning a student ID card at the CAASS terminals upon entering the building for attendance.
- The 169
- The Q169 bus route, a primary transit method for students traveling to the school in Jamaica, Queens.
- The 65
- The Q65 bus route, another major transit line used by the student body.
- The Academy
- Edison Academy, the specialized Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing that serves students from across Fairfax County.
- The Annex
- A specific wing of the building often used for academic or overflow classrooms.
- The Aux
- The auxiliary gymnasium, used for smaller athletic events, PE classes, and practices.
- The Bridge
- The glass-enclosed walkway that connects the two main sections of the school building.
- The Nest
- The official school store located on campus that sells spirit wear and supplies.
- The Rock
- A large boulder located at the front of the school that is traditionally painted by students to celebrate events or sports wins.
- The Shop
- General term for the specialized CTE wings, such as the Automotive or Electrical labs.
- The Stadium
- The main outdoor athletic complex used for football, soccer, and track and field.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- First Quarter 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 18 approved campus terms and 19 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.