Jefferson-Houston School

As enrollment declines, councilman asks if ACPS should pause capacity expansion projects

Published November 9, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated November 9, 2026 at 5:30PM

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School at 1501 Cameron Street (via Jefferson-Houston/Facebook)

Amid declining student enrollment numbers, an Alexandria city councilman is wondering whether Alexandria City Public Schools should shelve a costly conversion project to handle middle school capacity.

ACPS recently reported that its student population has fallen about 4% since the 2025-26 school year, descending from 15,928 to 15,295 students as of Sept. 30, 2026. The data follows Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor’s unveiling of a proposed $370.6 million Capital Improvement Program budget that exceeds the city’s budget guidance by more than $186 million.

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ACPS capital budget proposal exceeds city’s request by $186 million

By James Cullum

Published November 6, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated November 6, 2026 at 5:26PM

Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor at the Alexandria School Board meeting on Aug. 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools has vastly exceeded a recommendation by the city to keep its 10-year capital improvement program budget capped at $184.4 million.

On Thursday, Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor unveiled her proposed $370.6 million Fiscal Year 2028-37 Capital Improvement Program budget, going over the city’s recommendation by $186.2 million. Taylor told the School Board that the funding is “essential to preventing further deterioration, address capacity challenges, and deliver learning environments that truly serve our students and community.”

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Alexandria City School Board examines school conversion options to address middle school crowding

By Emily Leayman

Published November 2, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated November 2, 2026 at 3:04PM

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School (via Google Maps)

The Alexandria City School Board is taking another look at options to relieve middle school capacity challenges.

The School Board’s Thursday (Oct. 29) work session compared the plan to convert Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School into a middle school and Patrick Henry K-8 School into an elementary school with other alternatives. The School Board gave direction during the Capital Improvement Program process in December 2024 to convert the two K-8 schools.

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ACPS board celebrates 2026 Principal and Teacher of the Year honorees

By James Cullum

Published May 8, 2026 at 1:45PM

(Left to right) ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt, ACPS Principal of the Year Jeanette Vinson, ACPS Teacher of the Year Deedra Robinson of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, and School Board Chair Michelle Rief, May 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City School Board honored the school system’s 2026 Principal and Teacher of the Year during its meeting last night (Thursday).

This year’s accolades were bestowed to Jeanette Vinson, principal of George Washington Middle School, and Deedra Robinson, an educator at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School. The School Board celebrated their dedication while recognizing teachers of the year from every public school in Alexandria.

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JUST IN: Jefferson-Houston teacher named N. Va. region’s teacher of the year

By James Cullum

Published April 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Jefferson-Houston AVID teacher Deedra Robinson (with her students) was named Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year, April 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Deedra Robinson, a teacher at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, has been named the Region 4 (Northern Virginia) Teacher of the Year.

The surprise announcement was made this afternoon (Wednesday) by Jenna Conway, Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, in front of an assembly of students, family members and Alexandria City Public Schools administrators. Robinson teaches 48 students in the school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program and plans to retire at the end of the school year.

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Despite School Board protest, City Council votes to change ACPS appropriation process

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2026 at 1:00PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins in Council Chambers, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Council ignored a plea from the School Board Tuesday night, unanimously approving a resolution to change how the city appropriates funding to Alexandria City Public Schools.

City Council’s resolution directs ACPS, in preparation for the Fiscal Year 2028 budget, to submit estimates for funds needed through major classifications instead of a lump sum. The School Board asked that the move, which was introduced at a March 4 joint work session with City Council, be postponed as it restricts the school system from redirecting budgeted funds to pay for programs and services.

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After tense exchange, Alexandria City School Board approves capital improvement budget

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 19, 2025 at 4:36PM

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

After a contentious discussion, the Alexandria City School Board last night (Thursday) approved its $282.3 million Capital Improvement Program budget for fiscal years 2027-36.

The 5-4 approval of Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s proposed budget comes in at $3.5 million below the recommended amount from City Manager Jim Parajon’s office. The CIP includes $23 million in funding for non-capacity projects next year, including $1.8 million in school bus/vehicle replacements, $1.8 million for emergency repairs and $1.3 million in curriculum and instruction materials. It also accounts for the $2 million development of the Alexandria City High School’s Chance for Change Academy.

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New ACPS budget proposal defers Cora Kelly project, schedules K-8 conversions in 2030

By Katie Taranto

Published December 18, 2025 at 2:45PM

Capital Improvement Program add/delete session on Dec. 16, 2025 (via Alexandria City Public Schools)

An updated $282 million budget proposal would defer renovations at an Alexandria elementary school while securing funding for two contentious K-8 conversion plans in 2030.

The new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget from Alexandria City Public Schools comes in at $58 million less than the Alexandria City School Board’s original proposal and remains under the city’s guidance of $285.8 million, following weeks of workshopping by school and city leaders to trim it down.

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School board to review $9,999 donation for male mentoring program

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2025 at 11:30AM

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt talks about a proposed policy change on student publications at the May 8, 2025, School Board meeting (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria School Board will consider Thursday whether to accept a $9,999 donation from McLean-based Proxyware to support a male mentoring initiative at two city schools.

Alexandria City Public Schools received the $9,999 donation on Sept. 2 for programs at Patrick Henry K-8 School and Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School. The board must approve any donations over $5,000.

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ALIVE! seeks volunteers for free food distributions across Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 11:15AM

Food at ALIVE! (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

ALIVE! is giving away free food to needy residents at multiple locations this month, and volunteers are needed to help.

The nonprofit issued a call for volunteers this week on social media, and the free food distributions are specifically for city residents. Attendees are asked to bring reusable grocery bags and proof of city residency. The locations and hours of the distributions are below.

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Alexandria plans pedestrian safety upgrades near four schools

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2025 at 12:00PM

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School at 1501 Cameron Street (via Jefferson-Houston/Facebook)

Alexandria is considering six pedestrian safety improvements near four schools in Alexandria.

The project would remove up to 14 parking spaces for curb extensions and improved pedestrian crossings near Patrick Henry K-8 School, Samuel Tucker Elementary School, Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School, and Mount Vernon Community School. The traffic calming measures will be discussed at the city’s Traffic and Parking Board meeting on Monday, July 28.