Arlington Public Schools | ARLnow.com

Published September 11, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated September 11, 2023 at 2:33PM

CCPTA President Claire Noakes speaks at the School Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 (via Arlington Public Schools)

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) The Arlington County Council of PTAs is criticizing plans to close Nottingham Elementary School and make it a “swing space” where students go when their school is being renovated.

In suggesting this change, the coalition of PTAs, or CCPTA, says Arlington Public Schools has not considered how little money it has in the next decade to spend on sorely needed renovations. It adds the move would disadvantage low-income, diverse neighborhoods that rely on schools for county and community-based services.

Schools

Enrollment uptick continues for Arlington’s private schools post-Covid, while APS makes a comeback

By Jo DeVoe

Published August 30, 2023 at 11:30AM

St. Thomas Cathedral School

Arlington’s private schools say they are still riding a wave of enrollment increases that started early in the pandemic.

More than three years ago now, Covid lockdowns shut down schools, which reverted to distance learning. That fall, however, local private schools affiliated with a church or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington reopened their doors while Arlington Public Schools continued with virtual learning for most students for the better part of the 2020-21 school year.

Schools

APS students head back to school amid new focus on literacy and student wellness

By Jo DeVoe

Published August 28, 2023 at 4:05PM

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán greets students at Gunston Middle School on the first day of school (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m) Arlington Public Schools students headed back to school today and the positive energy, according to Superintendent Francisco Durán, was palpable.

“It was so wonderful,” he told ARLnow on a phone call this afternoon, debriefing from his morning spent visiting the half-dozen schools with new principals, including Gunston Middle School. “People are excited to be back.”

Schools

Nottingham parents claim plan to make the school a ‘swing space’ is based on flawed assumptions

By Jo DeVoe

Published August 18, 2023 at 11:45AM

Nottingham Elementary School parent Aaron Beytin addresses the School Board on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 (via Arlington Public Schools)

Two months after Arlington Public Schools floated plans to turn Nottingham Elementary School into a “swing space,” parents returned to the School Board with a message.

The assumptions the school system relied on for this plan are flawed, they said.

Schools

APS proposal to change middle school boundaries already has some opposition

By Jo DeVoe

Published August 10, 2023 at 10:30AM

Dorothy Hamm Middle School (via Arlington County)

Plans from Arlington Public Schools to redraw middle school boundaries have already prompted opposition from some families.

A new petition is circulating that calls on the Arlington School Board to reject the proposal and keep Dorothy Hamm Middle School, one of the affected schools, walkable.

Schools

APS mulls moving Spanish immersion program from Gunston to Kenmore Middle School

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 7, 2023 at 3:00PM

Gunston Middle School (file photo)

Arlington Public Schools is mulling moving the Spanish Immersion Program at Gunston Middle School to Kenmore starting two years from now.

The move would be part of a planned middle school boundary process also set to go into effect the same school year. APS is looking to balance middle school populations, as, without boundary changes, Gunston and Swanson are projected to become overcapacity and Williamsburg and Kenmore are projected to have seats available.

Feature

Arlington Soccer sponsor offers free coding lessons to Girls with Goals program

By Anya Wareck

Published July 3, 2023 at 10:00AM

Tim Yang provides coding coaching to two girls through Girls with Goals (courtesy Jerome Boettcher)

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups, founders, and other local technology news. Monday Properties is proudly featuring Three Ballston Plaza.

A sponsor for Arlington’s premier youth soccer league is helping girls hone their skills as players and coders.

Schools

Plans to turn Nottingham Elementary into ‘swing space’ prompt swift backlash

By Jo DeVoe

Published June 30, 2023 at 11:30AM

Nottingham Elementary School (via Google Maps)

A new proposal from Arlington Public Schools (APS) would send Nottingham Elementary students to other schools and use the building to house other students temporarily displaced by school renovations.

Parents of students at Nottingham were notified of the proposal yesterday (Thursday) by APS, ahead of a School Board work session discussing the proposal last night.

News

Arlington teen chosen by Carnegie Hall to accompany jazz orchestra on European tour this summer

By Anya Wareck

Published June 29, 2023 at 12:45PM | Updated June 29, 2023 at 1:29PM

Henry Price photographed with beloved trombone (courtesy Mari Beth Bittan)

(Updated at 1:30 p.m.) When Henry Price first picked up a trombone in fourth grade, he could only imagine a summer touring Europe as one of the 22 brightest young jazz musicians in the United States.

The 17-year-old Barcroft resident will return to Washington-Liberty High School this fall with a summer’s worth of top-tier musical experience under his belt.

Schools

Parents call on APS to address slow academic growth, teacher turnover at Oakridge Elementary

By Jo DeVoe

Published June 28, 2023 at 1:45PM

Oakridge Elementary School in the Arlington Ridge neighborhood in May of 2023 (via Google Maps)

A small group of parents from Oakridge Elementary School are asking Arlington Public Schools to take a hard look at student achievement and teacher retention.

Student assessments show low growth and lower pass rates in math and science tests at the school in the Arlington Ridge neighborhood. Meanwhile, it has higher teacher turnover than the school system as a whole, according to the group, named Concerned Parents of Oakridge

Schools

Arlington Career Center project approved despite some resident concerns

By Jo DeVoe

Published June 12, 2023 at 3:45PM

Design of the Grace Hopper Center, now under construction (via Arlington County)

On Saturday, the Arlington County Board approved plans to redevelop the Arlington Career Center on Columbia Pike.

Arlington Public Schools will be building a new 5-story Career Center building at 816 S. Walter Reed Drive to house students in vocational courses, such as veterinary sciences. Also set to be built: a standalone 4-story parking garage.

Schools

Arlington high schoolers can now carry Narcan on school grounds

By Jo DeVoe

Published May 26, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated May 26, 2023 at 2:46PM

A training session for how to administer naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, to reverse opioid overdoses (staff photo)

(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Today is the first day high school-aged Arlington Public Schools students can carry naloxone in schools.

Students in grades 9 and above can now carry the opioid reversal drug if they have consent from a parent or guardian, according to the school system. Those who are at least 18 years old can also provide consent if they wish.