Reminders for a Happy Summer Break and Strong Start to the 2024-25 School Year!

As another school year draws to a close, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) would like to thank our staff, families and the community for all of your support. It is through family engagement that we thrive, and we hope that you have an enjoyable summer break!

As we look forward to the 2024-25 school year, please take a moment to review some important reminders so that your students are prepared to take their next academic steps. Be sure to check out our first issue of the Express newsletter for the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 9, 2024, which will include additional helpful information as part of our Back-to-School edition.

Summer Learning Schedule

ACPS Summer Learning 2024 begins on Mon., June 24, 2024, and goes through Thur., July 18, 2024. Four weeks of in-person learning is set for every Monday to Thursday. There is no school on Fridays, and no school on Thur., July 4, 2024, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

Juneteenth Holiday

In keeping with all City of Alexandria government offices being closed on June 19, 2024, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday, ACPS will also close all school division offices and buildings on Wed., June 19, 2024. ACPS will honor this federal holiday by giving all of our contracted staff a paid day off.

Summer Work Schedule

Beginning the week of June 17, 2024, ACPS will offer staff the opportunity to work a four-day work week during the summer of 2024. This means that staff will adjust their schedules to work a 40-hour, four-day week and be out of the office each Friday starting June 21, 2024. This opportunity will be in effect until Fri., July 26, 2024. Staff in select departments may work an adjusted four-day work week (dependent upon the departmental work program).

There continue to be several ways that families can communicate with ACPS, which include sending questions and comments on divisionwide issues to ask@acps.k12.va.us. We ask for your patience with communications that are sent to ACPS on a Friday while this summer work schedule is in effect.

Complete the 2024-25 Back-to-School Forms

As we look ahead to the 2024-25 school year, completing your student’s Back-to-School forms ensures that teachers and staff have accurate contact information to engage with families. Families may complete the required Back-to-School forms through PowerSchool. For Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School families, these forms will be available beginning July 17, 2024. For all other ACPS families, these forms will be available beginning Aug. 14, 2024. Please complete all Back-to-School forms by Sept. 30, 2024.

Families who speak English or Spanish and have access to a mobile device should complete their forms via PowerSchool. All other families can request printed forms from their school. The printed forms will also be available on the ACPS Back-to-School Guide webpage, which will be updated in July.

Included in the Back-to-School forms is a form for families who believe their children may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FARM) and attend one of the following schools:

• Alexandria City High School King Street Campus.
• Charles Barrett Elementary School.
• Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.
• George Mason Elementary School.
• George Washington Middle School.
• Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.
• Mount Vernon Community School.
• Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School.

An application must be completed and submitted to determine student eligibility for FARM each year. Only one application per household needs to be submitted.

Download the ParentSquare App for Two-Way Communication

Make sure you are ready to communicate with ACPS during the 2024-25 school year by downloading the ParentSquare app. It is easy to activate your account and download the app to access all ParentSquare features from the convenience of your phone.

Important 2024-25 School Year Kick Off Dates

Step Up to Kindergarten

Step Up to Kindergarten is an opportunity for kindergarteners to meet their teachers, see their classrooms, tour their schools and experience a condensed schedule of a typical school day. Step Up to Kindergarten for students attending Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School is set for Fri., July 19, 2024. Step up to Kindergarten for all other ACPS schools is set for Fri., Aug. 16, 2024.

First Day of School

The first day of school for Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School students is Mon., July 22, 2024. The first day of school for all other ACPS schools is Mon., Aug. 19, 2024.

The traditional academic calendar, which applies to all ACPS schools except Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, is available online. Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School follows the modified calendar, also available online.

Back-to-School Nights

As of publication, the following Back-to-School Nights have been confirmed:

Aug. 7 and 8, 2024

• Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (split grades).

Aug. 27, 2024

• Charles Barrett Elementary School.
• Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.
• Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.
• George Mason Elementary School.
• Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.
• Mount Vernon Community School.
• Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School.

Aug. 28, 2024

• Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School.
• James K. Polk Elementary School.
• John Adams Elementary School.
• William Ramsay Elementary School.

Sept. 4, 2024

• Alexandria City High School (ACHS) King Street Campus.

Sept. 5, 2024

• ACHS Minnie Howard Campus, including early childhood programs.
• ACHS Satellite Campus.
• ACHS Chance for Change Campus.
• Early Childhood Center.

Sept. 9, 2024

• Francis C. Hammond Middle School.
• Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School.
• George Washington Middle School.
• Patrick Henry K-8 School.