Volunteer

This form serves as an introduction to yourself and your interests and availability. The application process is managed online and through the secure online platform that we use for the Visitor Management System, Raptor Technologies. The application process includes a criminal and sex offender background check. Applicants will be asked to identify the activities they are interested in supporting, the school(s) where they want to volunteer, and if they are volunteering on behalf of a partner organization.

Once your application is received, you will receive a confirmation email. Please note that applicants are required to complete all fields that are marked with an asterisk.

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER   APLICAR COMO VOLUNTÁRIO

Each volunteer will be informed of the status of their application once completed. If you do not hear back about the status of your application within 7-10 business days, please contact your school’s Family Liaison.

Once approved, your application is valid for two years. You will then be able to sign in at your school as a Volunteer.

Volunteers may include parents/guardians, other family members, our partners and members of the community interested in supporting education and/or investing their time and talents to support students in Alexandria.

A volunteer is an unsalaried person who has completed the ACPS volunteer application and screening process and has been authorized to perform volunteer services for the school division. This includes anyone providing services to or interacting with ACPS students on an ongoing basis.

Visitors can help out teachers/schools as long as they are not alone with students or groups of students and there is ACPS staff present.

Please review the process listed above.

All volunteers who regularly support schools and school-sponsored activities must complete an application, review, and sign the ACPS Code of Conduct.

This Code of Conduct requirement also applies to volunteers who regularly help in the classroom and those who wish to attend field trips and chaperone.

Only individuals who regularly support schools must complete the Code of Conduct. This means those who volunteer on an ongoing basis, including enrichment providers.

Individuals who support at-large events or those who assist at one-time events under the supervision of school staff members are not required to complete the Code of Conduct at this time. 

Listed below are examples of the types of activities that do not require completion of the Code of Conduct:

• Parent/community members who serve as one-time guest readers or speakers in classrooms under ACPS staff supervision.
• Parents or family members who are observing or supporting a student's recognition, celebration, or party.
• Parents/guardians serving as a one-time lunch buddy or visiting to eat lunch with their children.

It is essential that chaperones complete the Code of Conduct since they are often off-site and off school grounds with groups of students other than their own children, and may be unsupervised by ACPS staff members during those trips at certain times.

Raptor Technologies is the online platform ACPS uses for the Visitor Management System as well as for volunteers, sex offender screening, and the visitor, volunteer, contractor, and staff sign-in/out process.

Individuals wishing to volunteer with an individual school or multiple schools are able to complete their application online in English or Spanish by accessing the Raptor Technology systems links dedicated to the school division.

Completion of the Code of Conduct is recorded and tracked by ACPS.

Our Volunteer Specialist will receive a confirmation of your completion upon your signing. Once complete, you will be approved for two years.

The volunteer process usually takes about 7-10 business days from start to finish.

Filling out the online volunteer application should take approximately five (5) minutes.

Yes, but please remember to review the handbook to understand all guidelines.

ACPS Volunteer Handbook – English (PDF)

ACPS Volunteer Handbook – Spanish (PDF)

ACPS Volunteer Handbook – Arabic (PDF)

ACPS Volunteer Handbook – Amharic (PDF)

To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:

• Volunteers must sign in and sign out of the building using the Visitor Management System (VMS).
• Volunteers must wear the VMS-produced volunteer identification name tag at all times while on school property.
• Volunteers may not access confidential student or personnel records and should respect the confidentiality of students.
• Volunteers working with students must be within view of other ACPS staff members and avoid unsupervised, one-on-one student contact.

Please contact the school Family Liaison or the school you wish to volunteer directly.

For concerns not addressed at the school level, please email volunteer@acps.k12.va.us or 703-619-8055.