Alexandria Soccer Association Soccer IN School Event

High-fives all around as Mount Vernon Community School (Mount Vernon) second graders put a wrap on the inaugural year of Soccer IN School. During the 2025-26 school year, the  Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) program reached all 1,360 second grade students in 14 Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). At the Mount Vernon celebration on May 8, 2026, every second grader received a free soccer jersey, ball and take-home play kit—much to their delight.

Principal Jennifer Hamilton lauded the program for bringing joy and empowerment to students through youth athletics, stating, “Mount Vernon's collaboration with the Alexandria Soccer Association has created invaluable and enriching experiences for our students.” 

While Soccer IN School at ACPS winds down for the 2025-26 school year in May, the program which is funded through the U.S. Soccer “Innovate to Grow” grant in partnership with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) is guaranteed for at least three years. The soccer curriculum is aligned with Virginia’s second-grade Standards of Learning (SOL) and is integrated into regular physical education (PE) classes. ACPS PE teachers were trained and certified as U.S. Soccer grassroots coaches.

Soccer IN School not only promotes physical activity, but also teaches valuable social skills such as teamwork and resilience. Teachers noted that there was also lower absenteeism on soccer days. ASA Executive Director Tommy Park explained the broader goal is to increase youth sports participation across Alexandria from about 47% to 70%, positioning the city as a national model for youth sports engagement.

Joining in the Mount Vernon celebration of a successful year of Soccer IN School were Alexandria School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief, School Board members Tim Beaty and Ryan Reyna, Chief of Staff Dr. Grace Taylor, Executive Director for Community Partnerships and Engagement Taneika Taylor-Tukan, along with City Council members Canek Aguirre, Jacinta Greene and staff from Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. Representatives from VYSA, U.S. Soccer, the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association and D.C. United joined in the fun along with the D.C. United mascot Talon. Four Alexandria Reds players got in on the action at the scrimmage station. The students were thrilled as they rotated through soccer stations, enjoying all that they have learned and celebrating Soccer IN School!