Arlington Public Schools is abandoning X for Bluesky.
The school system announced Wednesday that it will no longer post updates on X — formerly Twitter — although its account will “remain open.”
We’re moving! APS is transitioning to Bluesky as our primary platform for updates. Follow us there for the latest news: https://t.co/UlbgUgdbVQ. This account will remain open, but we will no longer post updates here. pic.twitter.com/IZMfpq8NHa
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) February 19, 2025
“This shift allows us to explore platforms that best support meaningful engagement with our school communities while maintaining a strong and accessible presence online,” APS spokesperson Andrew Robinson told ARLnow.
As of yesterday afternoon (Thursday), the school system’s X account had around 21,100 followers while its Bluesky account had 223. APS joined X in 2012 and made its first Bluesky post this past December.
Eventually, all APS schools and other official accounts will also transition to Bluesky “as part of our long-term communications strategy,” Robinson said. At least one school has already done so.
We’re moving! APS is transitioning to Bluesky as our primary platform for updates. Follow us there for the latest news: @hbwprogramaps.bsky.social.
HBW is most active on Instagram.
This account will remain open, but we will no longer post updates here. #OneTeamOneAPS
— HBWoodlawn (@HBWProgram) February 19, 2025
“As Bluesky continues to grow, we see it as an opportunity to connect with our families, staff and community in new and innovative ways,” Robinson said. “We will continue to monitor our social media presence and adjust as needed to ensure we are reaching our audiences effectively.”
APS will continue to have a presence on Instagram, Facebook and Threads. Its Threads account has around 1,600 followers.
Bluesky, which publicly launched in February 2024 with around 3 million active users, has enjoyed a surge in popularity since President Donald Trump’s election. It currently has around 31 million users and a reputation as an alternative to X for users dissatisfied with that platform, owned by outspoken Trump supporter and close companion Elon Musk.
Robinson insisted the platform switch is not related to any recent political developments or tension between APS and the White House.
“We’ve been evaluating moving away from Twitter/X for a couple of years,” he said. “We continually monitor our social media presence and adapt to ensure we reach all our audiences.”
APS appears to be the only of its neighbors to announce such a shift. Fairfax County Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, Falls Church City Public Schools and D.C. Public Schools all remain active on X.
