County school leaders gave the 2025-26 school year a mix of positive grades with a few incompletes, including the need for improved communication with families.
“There are some wonderful accomplishments,” Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the June 18 School Board meeting. “At the same time, we do have data that shows we have work to do.”
In his year-end wrapup, Durán — who has been superintendent since 2020 — noted efforts to address chronic absenteeism and build community partnerships as high points.
He pointed to the 93% on-time graduation rate for members of the Class of 2026, and staff training that is producing “a culture that values innovation, excellence and continuous improvement.”
Among areas that need improvement, “there’s more work to do with family engagement,” Durán said, adding:
“We will continue to work on our communications, our student voice, our volunteer programs and building them up, adding more community partnerships and making sure every family feels connected, informed and engaged.”
Beyond academics, school leaders discussed well-being and mental-health issues in the 27,000-student school division.
“I’m proud of the work that’s been done. We also know more needs to be done,” School Board Chair Bethany Zecher Sutton said.
“To achieve academic success, students need to be emotionally healthy,” Zecher Sutton said. “They cannot feel isolated or marginalized — they need to feel safe and secure when they are in schools, and so do our teachers and staff.”
School Board members next meet on Tuesday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. for their annual organizational meeting.
Free summer meals offered to youth
Arlington Public Schools will offer free summer meals to youth for much of July.
Schools where meals will be served are:
- Carlin Springs Elementary School: Breakfasts from 9 to 9:30 a.m., lunch from 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Kenmore Middle School: Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m., lunch from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Wakefield High School: Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m., lunch from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Meals are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be consumed on-site.
Contract signed for high-school space
School Board members on June 18 agreed to a lease with Amazon bringing Arlington Community High School to National Landing.
The school will occupy the first four floors of 1450 S. Eads Street in the Metropolitan Park development. Facilities will total 30,350 square feet that has been built out to meet the school’s needs.
Space will be provided without cost to Arlington Public Schools for 10 years, with two possible 10-year renewal periods. In addition to the facility space, APS will have access to 50 parking spaces and bicycle parking on-site.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. at the new school.
Arlington Community High School currently occupies several levels of a Ballston office building.
