Make a Difference: Volunteer with ACPS

Would you like to chaperone a field trip or volunteer in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)? If so, please submit a volunteer application now for the 2025-26 school year. Volunteers are vital to ACPS, and we appreciate the contributions of family and community members, as well as our community partners. Everyone is encouraged to support our students by serving as a tutor, mentor, field trip chaperone, classroom parent/guardian or helper, science fair judge, career speaker, garden volunteer and more.

Volunteers in our schools are a clear sign to students and staff that our community values education and is willing to roll up its sleeves to support student success. Volunteers can make a big difference as they use their time, talent and experience to connect with and benefit our students. They also help in meeting new people, having fun, strengthening community ties and modeling for children the value of service. Volunteers may find that the experience and connections they gain could be helpful to their career advancement.

As ACPS recruits volunteers this year, an area of focus is assistance with a new after school tutoring program once a week at Alexandria City High School; please get in touch with volunteer@acps.k12.va.us if interested. 

Another exciting volunteer opportunity this fall includes ecology field trips to Alexandria’s Ben Brenman Park for all ACPS seventh grade students. We need 10-15 volunteers who will be trained as nature guides to lead students on one-hour tours. At the same time, Alexandria City staff provide hands-on learning about our local watershed and the City’s water management programs. Please complete this online form to indicate your interest in this volunteer opportunity.

ACPS has a wide range of volunteer needs as you consider how you can support Alexandria youth:

• After school tutoring, reading, math, or science or reading to students.
• Mentorship and career highlight opportunities, such as Career Day speaking events.
• Science fair support, such as project supervision, judges and event support.
• Field trip chaperones to plan logistics, supervise students and attend one-day band trips.
• Athletics support with concessions, booster club activities and game announcing.
• Gardening support at all schools, such as planting, weeding and special projects.
• Assistance with our physical education program to teach students how to ride a bike.
• Administrative support to help teachers prepare materials for the classroom.

Volunteer Application and Approval Process

Applications are processed through the Raptor Technologies secure online platform, which does a background check, including a criminal and sex offender check. To apply: 

• Visit www.acps.k12.va.us/volunteer for information and the application. 
• Read and sign the ACPS Volunteer Code of Conduct & Expectations.
• Complete and submit the application form (English/Spanish).
• If asked, schedule a brief Zoom meeting for ID verification.
• Look for a final message from the Raptor system about approval.
• Scan your photo ID each time you arrive at a school to volunteer.

The ACPS volunteer application asks for basic personal information, any specific interests or schools and any affiliation with a partner organization. You will be asked to upload photo identification from a list of accepted government-issued sources. School-based family liaisons can help with the application. The process takes 7-10 business days, but it can experience delays. Renewal is needed every two years, and a reminder message is sent before the expiration date. Please note that applications cannot be approved if a barrier crime is involved, per policy.

The ACPS volunteer team and our schools look forward to working with everyone! School-based family liaisons can help with the volunteer application and questions about volunteering can be directed to volunteer@acps.k12.va.us and 571-547-1697.