Today (Monday) is the first day of class at Arlington Public Schools, and the school system is just over 99% staffed up to welcome its 27,000 students.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming them all back,” Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the Aug. 27 School Board meeting, where he detailed changes that will impact students and families during the school year.
Arlington County police have a message for parents shopping for their kids’ back-to-school wheels: e-motorcycles aren’t for teenagers.
The devices can reach speeds of up to 65 mph and are “generally NOT appropriate for teens,” according to ACPD. Anyone operating a mobility device capable of more than 35 mph, or with a motor output above 750 watts, needs an M Class endorsement on their driver’s license and proper registration for the device.
A late start to the school year and other logistical challenges could result in Arlington elementary schoolers getting fewer than 180 days of instruction this year.
School Board members are reviewing a proposal to alter the 2026-27 elementary school calendar to provide more opportunity for meetings between teachers and parents in October and March. This would result in just 178 instructional days for elementary-school students.
Local students got in the back-to-school spirit last week with some help from the Washington Wizards.
Featuring appearances by Wizards mascot G-Wiz, the Wizards Dancers and DJ Chalant, the “Back-to-School Tip-Off” celebration provided students with backpacks filled with school supplies and free haircuts on Friday at Claremont Immersion Elementary School.
Additional speed cameras will be keeping an eye on Arlington school zones during the upcoming school year, although the locations have yet to be announced.
A list of the new camera locations will be released soon, a spokesperson for the Arlington County Police Department told ARLnow.
Shopping for back-to-school supplies and other items will be cheaper in Arlington during a statewide sales tax holiday this weekend.
The three-day holiday, which lasts from Friday to Sunday, temporarily lifts the sales tax on clothing, footwear and school supplies, as well as emergency preparedness products and some appliances.
A late Labor Day is giving Arlington Public Schools students until Aug. 31 to enjoy summer break, but changes are coming when the year begins.
A new pilot program to curb iPad use is kicking off at some schools, with different options being tested at different grade levels. Additionally, the new home for the Arlington Career Center will open at the beginning of the school year, while Arlington Community High School is moving into Amazon’s HQ2 campus.
Seniors at Washington-Liberty High School kicked off the first day of school today (Monday) with an annual “Senior Sunrise” tradition on the school’s football field.
Students from the class of 2026 began shuffling onto the field around 6 a.m., and by sunrise, about 100 of them had gathered at War Memorial Stadium to celebrate. As they took pictures, lounged on blankets and enjoyed a free breakfast treat, some reflected on what it meant to begin their final year of high school.
As students head back to school on Monday, new speed cameras and speed humps are intended to improve safety in Arlington school zones.
The Arlington County Police Department has installed 10 additional cameras over the summer, bringing its total number up to 28. Additionally, the county is in the process of installing new speed humps at seven locations near schools.
Changes to the online back-to-school packet, updated cellphone policies and planning for projects to support student well-being are coming to Arlington Public Schools this year.
School leaders hope that some of the changes will deliver a smoother process leading up to the first day of class, which begins one week from today on Monday, Aug. 25.
Virginia’s annual tax holiday returns this weekend, bringing three days of discounted shopping across the state.
Between Friday and Sunday, Arlington’s 6% sales tax will not apply to any of the following items, bought in-store or online.
As the 2024-25 school year starts today, Arlington Public Schools is launching several new initiatives to tackle student safety and enrichment.
Approved changes for this year include a new attendance policy for high school athletic events, a new after-school program pilot, and an extra five-day weekend in November.
