Alexandria City Public Schools welcomed students back for the first day of school today (Monday) as the district implemented a stricter student cell phone policy and new school boundaries.
More than 15,000 students started school at ACPS, from the incoming kindergarten class who will graduate in 2039, to the seniors graduating next year. Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, School Board Chair Christopher Harris, Alexandria City High School Principal Michael Burch and Police Chief Tarrick McGuire visited classrooms at ACHS’s King Street Campus on the first day.
“All of our staff and all of our buildings are ready to receive all of our families today dropping off their children,” Taylor said. “We know that parents are always a child’s first teacher, and so handing your child over to us especially for that incoming class of 2039 can be a little anxiety ridden. But our staff is prepared to welcome everyone.”
Gaskins said that the city can’t thrive without a strong school system.
“As a city we are committed to making sure our young people not only have a great first day back but throughout the year they have the programs, the after-school programs, the health wellness resources, the public safety resources, all that they and their families need to make sure that they are able to thrive and to focus on the great learning and program that ACPS has prepared for them,” Gaskins said.
Harris, a T.C. Williams High School (now ACHS) graduate who was elected as chair in July, said is a “year of transition” due to redistricting. The School Board approved the redistricting plan in June 2025, which will affect some elementary and middle school boundaries and prepare for the future conversion of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School into a middle school and Patrick Henry K-8 School‘s conversion into an elementary school.
“As our redistricting plan is implemented, I want our families and staff to know that the School Board is committed to helping and making the transition as smooth and supportive as possible for everyone affected,” Harris said. “As we move forward, we will continue to build on the progress, and I’m grateful to work alongside staff, educators, leaders who make a difference in every classroom, in every student’s journey.”
Taylor told ALXnow that ACPS has been preparing for redistricting for about a year. The acting superintendent said staff are currently working to address any “bumps” in its rollout.
“It was implemented seamlessly with community members, with our school folks, and now with the walk zones we are collaborating with our city partners in the effort of making sure our walk paths are safe that it’s within the boundary of one mile for elementary and middle, one and a half mile for high school students.”
The school district is enforcing a stricter “bell-to-bell” ban against smartphones and other smart devices in schools following a new Virginia law signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D). During a tour of ACHS on the first day, Burch reminded numerous students to put their phones away.
“Even though I have sent out seven ParentSquares, we are still enforcing the message this week,” Burch told ALXnow. “Full enforcement will start next week.”
The Alexandria Police Department continues to provide six school resource officers — two each at the high school campuses and one each at the middle schools. It also staffs intersections with crossing guards.
McGuire said he observed drivers following rules and showing patience while assisting crossing guards Monday morning at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School but observed drivers parking in bike lanes. He also cautioned drivers that national data shows pedestrian-related crashes increase during the school year from 3-7 p.m.
“As we start this school year, I want to remind all persons to respect not only those that are directing traffic but also those that are riding bicycles and kids that are going to and from [school],” McGuire said. “My message as police chief is ensure our students are safe, ensure that our roadways are safe, yield to pedestrians and ensure that we’re following our traffic signals and our traffic laws.”
Over the summer, the city has worked to implement a traffic safety improvement project on King Street near ACHS. Gaskins said the road includes new markings to more clearly show where people walk and take the bus as well as bus movements through the school zone. The mayor said similar projects are happening across the city, including one under study near the Minnie Howard Campus.
“As a city, especially through the city manager’s office, we’ve extended ourselves to be a partner to make sure that it’s safe for children to get to and from school,” Gaskins said.
Taylor, also a T.C. Williams High School graduate, said it was a full circle moment to be at the high school to welcome students.
“The future starts right now, today for our students here at ACHS,” Taylor said. “We want students to take time, to set goals, to push boundaries, and they’re learning to ask questions, to reach out and take that class that they aren’t so sure about.”
