Alexandria City Public Schools

City Council scrutinizes funding gap for ACPS collective bargaining agreement

Published March 16, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 18, 2026 at 12:06PM

Alexandria City Council Member Canek Aguirre (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council members are pressing for more answers before they can fill a $5.65 million budget gap to pay for Alexandria City Public Schools’ first-ever collective bargaining agreement.

Earlier this month, the School Board approved its $12.7 million collective bargaining agreement with the Education Association of Alexandria, promising a step increase for all eligible employees (and an extra step for staff employed since 2010), a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for licensed staff, a 3.5% COLA for support staff and a $2,000 longevity bonus for support staff.

Weather

JUST IN: ACPS to release students early due to severe storm outlook

By Emily Leayman

Published March 16, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated March 16, 2026 at 12:50PM

George Washington Middle School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria City Public Schools will change up its schedule today (Monday) ahead of potential severe weather, including thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.

ACPS will dismiss students two hours early, and all afternoon and evening classes are canceled. The change comes after several regional school systems made their early dismissal decisions on Sunday.

News

ACPS sees 40% drop in incidents requiring police response during first semester

By James Cullum

Published March 5, 2026 at 1:30PM | Updated March 5, 2026 at 6:31PM

Alexandria Police at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools saw a 40% reduction in the number of incidents requiring a police response during the first two quarters of this school year compared to last year, according to a school safety report recently presented to the Alexandria City School Board.

During the first semester this year, ACPS reported 167 total incidents requiring a police response across the school system and 27 student referrals or arrests. The recent incident count represents a 40% drop from the first semester last school year, which saw 279 reported incidents.

News

Volunteer program with local nonprofit teaches ACPS third graders how to ride bikes

By James Cullum

Published March 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

Nicole Radshaw, a pedestrian and bike support specialist, teaches bicycling to third graders at Patrick Henry K-8 School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just before snowflakes fell on Monday afternoon, a class of third graders at Patrick Henry K-8 School were outside in the school basketball court learning how to ride bikes.

For three weeks every school year, all third graders at Alexandria City Public Schools are fitted with Trek bikes and taught bicycle safety and riding by volunteers and staff working with the Alexandria Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee‘s (BPAC) Bicycling in the Schools initiative. This school year, 1,266 students are in the program, which is currently seeking more volunteers.

News

All Alexandria streets are clear of snow as ACPS returns to classrooms today

By Katie Taranto

Published February 24, 2026 at 8:00AM

Wintry morning along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Feb. 23, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria crews were quick to finish clearing Sunday’s snowfall, aided in part by some warmer temperatures and a lack of “snowcrete.”

As of last night (Monday), all primary, secondary and residential streets have been cleared, as well as Alexandria City Public Schools buildings, bus stops, city facilities and adjacent sidewalks, according to a city announcement. Roads are clear as ACPS students and staff make a return to classrooms today on normal schedules, following yesterday’s synchronous learning plans.

News

BREAKING: ACPS closed Monday as plans shift to synchronous learning

By Katie Taranto

Published February 22, 2026 at 9:50PM

Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools will be closed tomorrow (Monday), with students participating in synchronous learning, the school system announced tonight.

ACPS made the decision around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, shifting gears from previous plans to open with a two-hour delay due to the ongoing snow. All schools and offices will be closed, with students participating in synchronous learning and staff following a virtual workday.

News

UPDATED: ACPS will close Monday as snowfall continues

By Katie Taranto

Published February 22, 2026 at 5:25PM | Updated February 22, 2026 at 10:07PM

ACPS school buses in snowy, icy conditions, Jan. 30, 2026 (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools has announced it will be closed tomorrow (Monday), following previous plans to open with a two-hour delay.

All schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, with students participating in synchronous learning and staff following a virtual workday. ACPS announced the decision around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, adjusting from the previously planned two-hour delay.

News

ACPS board approves $406M budget, but uncertainty remains over city funding

By Emily Leayman

Published February 20, 2026 at 10:30AM | Updated February 20, 2026 at 10:49AM

Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City School Board approved the school division’s 2027 budget yesterday (Thursday), but challenges surrounding city funding and employee health care costs remain before the final version is adopted in June.

The bulk of the Alexandria City Public Schools’ $406.5 million combined funds budget includes the $374.5 million operating budget, as well as school nutrition funds, grants and a special projects fund. The operating budget itself is a 3.7% increase from the last budget.

News

Alexandria city offices, public schools closing Monday for George Washington Day

By Katie Taranto

Published February 13, 2026 at 9:15AM

Thousands lined King Street for the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town on President's Day, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria government offices, libraries and public schools are closing Monday to observe Presidents Day, otherwise known in Virginia as George Washington Day.

Across the city, some services will close or operate on modified schedules in observance of the first president’s birthday. Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day next week, but curbside food waste collection will remain on-schedule.

News

ACPS proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language programs draw public concern

By Emily Leayman

Published February 10, 2026 at 3:30PM

Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language classes at Alexandria City Public Schools have drawn public concern as school officials prepare to make funding decisions.

The Alexandria City School Board discussed a proposal that would remove two middle school Latin teachers and one Chinese teacher due to low enrollment during a Jan. 27 work session.

News

Alexandria City School Board member suggests adding snow days after winter storm

By Emily Leayman

Published February 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Cora Kelly Elementary School, 3600 Commonwealth Avenue, on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria City School Board member has proposed starting discussions to bring back traditional snow days, after school buildings were closed for more than a week in the aftermath of last month’s winter storm.

Board member Ryan Reyna called for a discussion on potentially building snow days back into the calendar and examining flexibility of winter break start and end dates for the 2028-2029 calendar during the School Board’s Feb. 5 meeting.