ACPS | ALXnow - Part 14

ACPS Superintendent highlights commitment to student success amid uncertainty surrounding Department of Education

Published March 21, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated March 21, 2025 at 4:32PM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at the Alexandria City Essential Workers Appreciation ceremony at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, March 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt is pledging to maintain focus on academic excellence and student support despite potential changes with the Department of Education.

In response to ALXnow questions regarding what impact potential changes would have on public education in the City of Alexandria, Kay-Wyatt wrote, “Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is deeply concerned about yesterday’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Public education is fundamental to our democracy, and this action raises significant questions about the future of federal support, educational outcomes, and protections for students and educators nationwide”.

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U.S. Soccer grant will bring “Soccer IN School” to Alexandria second graders

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 10:30AM

Man playing soccer (image via Emilio Garcia/Unsplash)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is introducing an exciting new soccer program to second-grade classrooms this fall.

The Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) have teamed up with ACPS to launch “Soccer IN School,” thanks to a U.S. Soccer Innovate to Grow grant.

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Anonymous call put Alexandria City High School on ‘secure the building’ status earlier today; police investigating

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2025 at 4:16PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria City High School was placed on “secure the building” status earlier today when police received an anonymous phone call of a person with a firearm in the parking lot of the King Street campus (3330 King Street).

Executive Principal Alexander Duncan III sent the following note to parents:

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ACPS and the City of Alexandria honor essential workers

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated March 19, 2025 at 2:29PM

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students cheer essential workers, Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Wednesday morning (March 19), cheering children honored the people who actually make Alexandria run at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

The event honoring essential workers marked the culmination of the fourth annual Alexandria City Essential Workers Appreciation Week.

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ACPS presents draft school boundary redistricting options to the public

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 18, 2025 at 8:24PM | Updated April 11, 2025 at 12:41PM

School Board member Christopher Harris (via ACPS)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) held its first community meeting on school boundary redistricting Tuesday evening. Three draft boundary maps were presented to address school capacity and utilization issues across the district.

More than 300 individuals participated online, with dozens more attending in person at Alexandria City High School, as district officials and consultants explained the redistricting process that began in July 2023.

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ACPS and city leaders cut ribbon at new synthetic turf field at Patrick Henry K-8 School

By James Cullum

Published March 18, 2025 at 3:15PM

City and ACPS leaders cut the ribbon at the new athletic field at Patrick Henry K-8 School, March 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years under development, the ribbon was cut today on the new synthetic turf sports field at Patrick Henry K-8 School.

It took six years to construct the field in front of the renovated West End school at 4643 Taney Avenue, which reopened next to the old school in early 2019.

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Polk Elementary students step into joy with 770 pairs of free sneakers

By James Cullum

Published March 14, 2025 at 3:30PM

Operation Warm and Beazer Homes gave 770 pairs of shoes to all the students at Shoes at James K. Polk Elementary School, March 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s nothing like a new pair of shoes. This afternoon, all James K. Polk Elementary School students in Alexandria’s West End received free sneakers.

That’s 770 pairs of shoes, all donated to the students by Pennsylvania-based nonprofit Operation Warm and Georgia-based builder Beazer Homes. The event was just one in a handful today across the country that the companies are offering to school systems.

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Annual MV Big Flea market returns to Del Ray on April 26

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2025 at 5:30AM

MV Big Flea is returning to Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray on April 26, 2025 (via FDcebook)

In the market for a pristine Fender guitar? There are two for sale at rock-bottom prices at the upcoming MV Big Flea, an annual fundraiser and community yard sale for the Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray.

The annual flea market is back on April 26 (Saturday) in the gym of Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). Organizers have been gathering donated treasures at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market and have several nearby storage units filled to capacity.

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JUST IN: Polk Elementary 3rd grade teacher Sharon Phox named Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2025 at 3:58PM

James K. Polk Elementary School 3rd grade teacher Sharon Phox was named the Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year, March 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A rapturous applause followed after a James K. Polk Elementary School teacher was officially named the Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year.

In front of an assembly of third graders, teacher Sharon Phox was presented the honor by Lisa Coons, Virginia’s superintendent for public instruction, as well as Alexandria City Public Schools leadership and her family.

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ACPS Redistricting Steering Committee to review boundary scenarios

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 11, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated April 11, 2025 at 12:41PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria City Public Schools is advancing its school boundary redistricting process with three proposed plans aimed at balancing student enrollment and improving school capacity utilization across the district.

The Redistricting Steering Committee will review the "Green," "Blue," and "Purple" plans during its March 12 meeting, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the School Board Meeting Room.

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Alexandria budget pushes back against controversial Jefferson-Houston conversion

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2025 at 10:30PM

City Manager James Parajon presenting the FY 2026 budget (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria City Manager James Parajon presented the FY 2026 budget to City Council tonight (Tuesday) but one of the major items was something not included in the budget: the conversion of Jefferson-Houston K-8 School to a middle school.

The budget included $21 million to Alexandria City Public Schools in capital funding — funding devoted to major development projects in a capital budget. In a release, the City of Alexandria said the funding was in line with the funding level requested for FY 2026 in the School Board capital funding request.