Alexandria City Public Schools will welcome students back to classrooms on Monday, August 18, marking the start of the 2025-26 academic year for most district schools.
The Aug. 18 start date applies to 17 of the district’s 18 schools following the traditional academic calendar. Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, which operates on a modified calendar, already began classes on July 21.
Tucker Elementary was the first school in Alexandria to adopt a modified calendar, trading a typical summer vacation for shorter breaks throughout the year paired with extended learning opportunities. During these breaks, students participate in both remediation and enrichment classes.
Research shows modified calendars reduce learning loss from extended breaks and help students retain more information, particularly in reading and math, according to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School’s website. Schools using modified calendars report increased student attendance, fewer discipline problems, and reduced dropout rates.
With classes beginning in five days for the remaining 17 schools, ACPS families are preparing for back-to-school nights scheduled throughout the next month:
Aug. 26:
- Early Childhood Center
- George Mason Elementary School
- Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
- John Adams Elementary School
- Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy
Aug. 27:
- Charles Barrett Elementary School
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
- Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School
- James K. Polk Elementary School
- William Ramsay Elementary School
Sept. 4:
- Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
- Mount Vernon Community School
- Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School
Sept. 8:
- Patrick Henry K-8 School (grades K-4)
Sept. 9:
- Patrick Henry K-8 School (grades 5-8)
Sept. 10:
- Alexandria City High School King Street Campus
- ACHS Satellite Campus
Sept. 11:
- ACHS Minnie Howard Campus, including early childhood programs
- ACHS Chance for Change Campus
Sept. 18:
The district will serve more than 16,335 students this year across its facilities with a staff of more than 2,200 employees. The student body represents 127 native languages, and 47 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
For families with incoming kindergarteners at traditional calendar schools, Friday’s “Step Up to Kindergarten” orientation provides a final opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with their new schools before Monday’s first day.
“This introduction to the school experience helps incoming kindergarten students become familiar with their schools, classrooms and teachers in advance of the beginning of the academic year, so they can feel more comfortable on the first day of school,” according to ACPS.
The district operates with a $359 million budget. The complete 2025-26 academic calendar is available on the ACPS website.
