Recognizing ACPS’ Volunteers and the Enrichment They Bring to Our Schools

From individual academic support provided by volunteer tutors to rich cultural stories and career experiences shared during Career Days and Cultural Nights, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) volunteers enrich the student experience and bridge the gap between the classroom and the community. Volunteer service within ACPS has blossomed, with 3,222 applications approved in the 2025-26 school year. Those figures represent a year-over-year increase of more than 10% in approved applications, resulting in an increased number of classroom volunteers and adult mentors actively engaging students. 

Vital to the mission of the school division, the ACPS Volunteer Program is aligned with the 2030 Strategic Plan as it strengthens systems of support for students’ social and emotional well-being through building positive relationships with peers and trusted adults.  “When volunteers walk into our schools, they aren’t just giving their time; they are telling our students, ‘You are worth my time.’ That message is transformative,” said Executive Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement Taneika Taylor Tukan.

While building on ACPS’ volunteer recruitment efforts over the past year, the school division also expanded specialized academic and social-emotional support through secondary tutoring and mentorship for students. Volunteer tutors are directly assisting upcoming graduates and students with after-school tutoring in core subjects through programs such as Project Graduation, Youth in Progress and the Alexandria City High School Saturday Learning Program. Our volunteer efforts also use high-quality learning materials and teaching practices that reflect students’ needs and diverse cultures to ensure each student can thrive and succeed. Volunteers also fill an essential role as judges for our secondary school science fairs, National History Day and the We the People Civics event, as well as serving as career day speakers.

In an effort to further drive the growth of ACPS’ volunteer program into the 2026-27 academic year, the school division is refining the application process through the Raptor system and closely collaborating with partners including the Parent-Teacher Advisory Council (PTAC), Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), Volunteer Alexandria and the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium to help fill volunteer needs. ACPS has also expanded outreach and communications to ensure all families are informed about the volunteer process as the school division encourages additional community members to volunteer in our schools.

Observing National Volunteer Appreciation Week, along with Public School Volunteer Week in April, ACPS recognizes the essential role our families and community members play in strengthening our schools and how volunteer contributions benefit our students. Through a new volunteer appreciation initiative launched in 2025, ACPS partnered with Volunteer Alexandria to recognize exceptional volunteers in all of our schools.

The ACPS Office of Community Partnerships and Engagement oversees the volunteer application and approval process for all division schools. School volunteers must be approved by ACPS in order to serve as chaperones, tutors, mentors, classroom assistants and in other ongoing volunteer roles. Share your expertise with our students, consider becoming an ACPS volunteer. #PublicSchoolVolunteerWeek