ENGAGE with APS

• 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 4, 2026 New launch date: February 6, 2026 – March 6, 2026
• More information
• View Your Voice Matters Survey Insights & Results

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct. 9 – Action Item: FY27 Budget Direction
• Nov. 10 – Budget Requests/Submissions
• Dec. 5 – Cabinet Budget Retreat
• Feb. 26 – Superintendent’s FY27 Budget Presentation
• March – Public Hearing on County Budget and Tax Rate – TBD
• March 26 – School Board’s FY27 Budget Presentation
• April – County/School Board Joint Work Session
• April 14 – Budget Work Sessions 1-4, 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
• April 14 – Public Hearing on School Board’s Proposed Budget
• May 14 – Board Action: School Board’s Adopted FY27 Budget
• June 16 – Board Action: School Board’s Adopted 2027-36 CIP

Ways to Engage:

• Email  [email protected]
• 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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APS is conducting an ongoing review of its non-traditional secondary programs at Arlington Community High School, Grace Hopper Center and Langston to ensure we are meeting student needs and expanding access to supports. This work has been guided by prior School Board work sessions and continued community engagement. APS is continuing to gather input, refine concepts and share information transparently as the process moves forward.

Timeline

Initial Meetings (2024-25 School Year)

• Individual school meetings were held at H-B Woodlawn, Langston, Arlington Community High School and with the Arlington Career Center and Arlington Tech to review non-traditional programs.
• The initial meetings reviewed the met and unmet needs at each school and how APS may be able to better address those through potential improvements.
• A joint meeting was held to review met and unmet student needs with non-traditional program principals and leadership teams and to gather feedback collectively.

Work Session #1 (Nov. 19, 2024)

• A series of work sessions was held to discuss with the school board why APS leadership recommended potential efficiencies to non-traditional programs.
• Principals were charged with looking at efficiencies

Work Session #2 (Nov. 18, 2025)

• APS leadership provided updated proposals for board consideration and feedback.

Community Meetings (August, 2025- January, 2026)

• Individual community group meetings were held to share the proposal and garner feedback from the following groups: ASHPA, SACIRSC, SEPTA, Arlington Tech PTA, and the Langston Civic Association.

Student Town Hall Sessions (December 2025)

• Program-specific student town hall sessions occurred for each program at Arlington Career Center and Langston.

Committee of the Whole (COW) (Jan. 13, 2026)

• The school board discussed updated APS leadership proposals and provided feedback in advance of the January 22 school board meeting.
• The school board will discuss this topic as an Information Item at the Jan. 22, 2026, school board meeting.

Committee of the Whole (COW) (Feb. 3, 2026)

Next Steps

• The board is scheduled to take action on the recommendations at the Feb. 19, 2026, school board meeting.

Non-Traditional Secondary Programs FAQ 

What is APS Non-Traditional Secondary Programming?  

Non-traditional school programs in APS offer alternate educational pathways for students who face academic, social, emotional or behavioral challenges in traditional school. Non-traditional secondary programs in APS include Arlington Community High School, Langston and some programs at the current Arlington Career Center (future Grace Hopper Center).

Why is APS proposing changes to non-traditional secondary programs now? 

APS has identified a need to improve the existing programs and provide more educational access to those students. This includes providing opportunities for students to participate equally in programs like Career and Technical Education (CTE) and have access to updated school facilities. By increasing access to CTE courses, APS provides more pathways to graduation and future employment options.

Which secondary schools are involved in the proposal? 

This proposal includes adjustments to non-traditional programming at Arlington Community High School, Grace Hopper Center and Langston.

What is included in the proposal? 

Staff have recommended four key changes to existing programs:

1. Alternative Learning Program

1. • Expanding the current 45-Day Program (for students transitioning back into traditional classrooms after an absence) to include general education students and middle school students
   • To be located at Syphax Education Center
2. Flexible Learning Program

• • New small-group classes to provide flexible learning for students who would benefit from individualized instruction

• • To be located at Amazon HQ/Arlington Community High School

3. Multilingual Pathway Program

• • Redesigning programming for high school-aged English learners in grades 9–12, including newcomers and students identified as Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) who are working toward a high school diploma

• • Located at Grace Hopper Center

4. Relocate Langston Program to Grace Hopper Center  

• • Expand access to Career & Technical Education (CTE) and additional facilities and support for students

How does this proposal improve outcomes for students compared to what you currently have? 

The proposal is designed to improve outcomes by:

• Providing more targeted, small-group instruction and individualized supports.

• Expanding access for students in alternate programs to CTE courses, opportunities to build real-life skills and credentials, and flexible pathways to graduation.

• Consolidating instructional resources (staff and facilities) to strengthen student supports.

• Providing more support for students returning to traditional classrooms from an absence.

• Improving continuity of services for high-need students over the whole of their education in APS.

How have you engaged the community? What has been some common feedback? 

Meetings were held at each of the impacted schools during the 2024-25 school year to gather feedback. The school board held two work sessions in November 2024 and November 2025 to review recommendations and proposals. Community engagement meetings, town halls and additional meetings with the impacted schools took place in December 2025 and in January/February 2026.

Feedback emphasized the need for: 

• Greater access to alternate learning solutions, including hybrid, online and hands-on options.

• Stronger student-centered facility design which builds community and meaningful student voice.

• Expanded academic, clinical and case management supports for students with higher needs.

• Clearer communication and program definitions to reduce confusion for families.

• Improved equity in access to courses and transportation solutions.

The proposed program redesigns and relocations were based directly on this feedback.

What is the timeline for implementation if approved? 

If approved by the School Board, APS would move forward with developing and launching the proposed programs, including the Alternative Learning Program, Flexible Learning Program, Multilingual Pathway Program and the relocation of the Langston Program to the Arlington Career Center. The presentation does not specify exact start dates, but implementation would follow Board approval, with continued community engagement and updated information shared through Engage with APS and future communications.

Where can I view the full proposal and more information? 

View the proposal presented at the Jan. 22 School Board Meeting.

Engage with APS
The school board invites community feedback by writing to [email protected], filling out the form below, writing to the school board or speaking at a school board meeting prior to the vote on Feb. 19, 2026.

• As part of the Year of AI-Empowered Learning, APS has launched a district-wide initiative focused on strengthening readiness, building confidence, and developing a shared understanding of AI.
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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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• 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.
• View the October 1 – Community Construction Update
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• APS is reviewing its current HS Bell Schedules. A Bell Schedule Work Group is being formed to evaluate and examine the strengths and challenges of our current models as well as explore alternative options. Staff will present their findings to the School Board in November 2025.
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• Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, APS implemented the use of secure pouches to store student cell phones during the school day at high schools only. This was fully implemented at Wakefield, Washington-Liberty, Yorktown, Arlington Career Center, and H-B Woodlawn.
• APS middle schools maintain a limited supply of pouches to be used on a case-by-case basis, as needed.
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• APS is forming an Early Childhood Work Group to explore and evaluate the future of early childhood education. The group will deliver a comprehensive recommendation to the APS School Board in June 2026.
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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
• View Retirees Aged 65 and over – Healthcare Benefits 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