Update at 1:05 p.m. — Alexandria City High School students will be dismissed early due to the bomb threat. Alexandria Police Department Communications Manager Tracy Walker told ALXnow that police are still searching the high school.
Alexandria City High School is being evacuated due to a bomb threat at the school, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, ACHS officials have decided to evacuate the school,” APD said in a release around 12:20 p.m. “APD officers are on the scene investigating.”
According to an email from Alexandria City Public Schools:
At about 11:50 a.m. today, students and staff at the Alexandria City High School (ACHS) King Street campus were evacuated in response to a bomb threat received by Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). The Alexandria Police Department is on site and working with ACHS administration, ACPS leadership and the ACPS Office of Safety and Security Services.
Students were evacuated from the King Street Campus to designated areas outside, and the ACPS Office of Transportation has sent buses to the school to provide warming stations for the students. We have also contacted Episcopal High School to serve as an evacuation site in the event of a prolonged evacuation.
We ask families to please not come to the ACHS campuses at this time. Updates will be provided as the investigation proceeds and more information becomes available.
The safety and security of our students and staff are of utmost priority. We will continue to communicate with any additional information and will update the ACHS website.
Principal Alexander Duncan III sent a message to families and staff at ACHS:
Dear Alexandria City High School – King Street Campus Families and Staff,
Students from Alexandria City High School (ACHS) – King Street Campus will be dismissed early at 1:00 p.m. today due to the message we sent this morning regarding the bomb threat and evacuation. Due to the size of the building, it will take a considerable amount of time to search and clear the building, and we are concerned about having students and staff outside of the building with the current temperature.
As a result, an early dismissal has been called and after-school activities in the building are canceled.
Buses will begin picking up students at 1:00 p.m. We ask families to please be patient as we work to drop off students at regular bus stops. For parents picking up students, meet your students at Woods Avenue entrance for King Street campus.
We know this is a difficult situation for families to manage and we appreciate your patience as we implement this plan. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are the most important priorities.
Sincerely,
Alexander Duncan III, Executive Principal
Notification: There is currently a police presence at Alexandria High School due to a possible bomb threat. Out of an abundance of caution, ACHS officials have decided to evacuate the school. APD officers are on the scene investigating. pic.twitter.com/li3S2uvm8K
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 1, 2023
ACHS King Street campus evacuated due to bomb threat. https://t.co/uA5338GN3c
— Alexandria City High School – King Street Campus (@AlexCityTitans) November 1, 2023