ENGAGE with APS

• As part of our Year of Empowered AI Learning in APS, we are excited to invite you to a virtual Community Town Hall on Artificial Intelligence on Wed, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. At this session, you can learn more about our adopted instructional platform, SchoolAI, and have an opportunity to ask questions.
• Interpretation will be available.
• If you have questions that you would like to have addressed during the live event, please add them here: Community Pre-event Questions for APS AI Town Hall
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• The Arlington Youth Survey (AYS) is an anonymous, annual survey providing schools and community organizations with insights on health risk and health-promoting behaviors.
• AYS will be administered to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 from November 10, 2025 to November 25, 2025.
• More information and link to opt-out form

• The project will allow more students to benefit from the offerings at the Career Center and allow APS to further expand Arlington Tech and other high-demand programs.
• The School Board approved the Construction Contract Award to begin construction of the facility, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2026 for the 2026-27 School Year.
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APS is forming a Device Work Group to evaluate how digital devices are used in classrooms and to make strategic recommendations about future device models. Staff will present their findings to the APS School Board in March 2026.

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• APS is reviewing our current HS Bell Schedules. A Bell Schedule Work Group was formed to evaluate to examine the strengths and challenges of our current models and explore alternative options. Staff will present their findings to the APS School Board in November 2025. Community members, may share additional feedback regarding bell schedules, using this form.
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• Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, APS will implement the use of secure pouches to store student cell phones during the school day — at high schools only. This will be fully implemented at Wakefield, Washington-Liberty, Yorktown, Arlington Career Center, and H-B Woodlawn.
• APS Middle school will maintain a limited supply of pouches to be used on a case-by-case basis, as needed.
•  More information

• APS is forming an Early Childhood Workgroup to explore and evaluate the future of early childhood education in Arlington Public Schools (APS), with a focus on inclusive PreK programs and the potential development of Early Childhood Centers. The group will deliver a comprehensive recommendation to the APS School Board in June 2026.
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• Development of the FY 2026 Proposed Budget is underway
• The FY 2026 forecast shows we will start the budget process with a $38 million gap
• The Proposed Budget will be presented on March 13, 2025

Upcoming Dates:

• March 25, 2025: Budget Work Sessions #1 – 2 (1 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.) – Presentation
• April 3: Budget Work Session #3 (3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.)
• April 3: Public Hearing on the FY 2026 Joint Proposed Budget
• April 8: Budget Work Session with BAC, 6:30 p.m.
• May 1: Action Item – School Board’s Adopted FY 2026 Budget

Ways to Engage:

• Email  [email protected]
• Sign up to speak at the April 3 Public Hearing – link coming soon.
• Tune in for Work Sessions
• Attend Open Office Hours

See Budget & Finance for additional information

• Every two years, the School Board adopts a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that addresses APS capital needs—investments needed to improve or enhance the infrastructure of our schools—over the next ten years. The CIP includes major capital projects, such as new schools and school additions, as well as major maintenance and minor construction projects.
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• The current APS healthcare benefits contract will expire in December 2026.
• Leading up to that date, APS is committed to a transparent contract renewal and Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
• View Employee Healthcare Survey Data Summary
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• APS will share information on the contracts expiring soon on a quarterly basis.
• The goal of sharing this information is to establish an open and accessible channel of communication that allows the community to better understand the contracts and agreements that drive the operations of APS.
• APS advertises all contract solicitations on eVA and on the APS Procurement Office website.
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• The School Board Advisory Committee Working Group will work with the school board and staff to evaluate the current School Board advisory committee structure, effectiveness, and alignment with strategic priorities and make recommendations for revision in accordance with the School Board’s charge.
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• The School Board is considering the following policies for revision/amendment

• The Your Voice Matters Survey, which is now conducted annually and in conjunction with APS and the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families (APCYF), provides insights on topics that include safety (school and community climate), health and well-being, voice and engagement.
• The survey window February 12, 2025 – March 21, 2025. 
• More information and link to opt-out form
• View Your Voice Matters Survey Insights & Results