Office of Instructional Support

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Adult Education offers a variety of programs that provide educational opportunities in Adult Basic Education, Adult High School completion, English Language Learners (ELL), GED preparation and testing, and workforce development training.

Contact: Teri Barnett, Director of Adult Education teri.barnett@acps.k12.va.us

In ACPS, we believe all students have the fundamental right to an education that promotes the development of their potential. Each child has a unique profile of academic strengths and abilities. ACPS is committed to providing challenging learning experiences for all students that build on individual strengths and optimize abilities, including Advanced Academic Services (AAS), formally known as Talented and Gifted Services.

Contact:
Megan Tempel-Milner, Ph.D.,
Director of Advanced Academic Programs
megan.tempel-milner@acps.k12.va.us

AVID is a system that enables college access for self-determined students who are typically underserved and underrepresented in four-year colleges, students in the academic middle, and those who may be the first generation in the family to attend college. The program plays a critical role in preparing students for college readiness and involving families in the creation of pathways to success. The AVID program ensures that all students have the tools they need to succeed beyond high school.

Contact: Jodie Peters, AVID District Director/College Readiness Support, jodie.peters@acps.k12.va.us

Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students with a variety of options to apply academic knowledge and earn the technical skills necessary for the workplace of the 21st century. The instructional program along with opportunities for industry credentialing, helps students prepare to be college and career-ready. Students may have the opportunity to participate in work-based learning experiences where they can apply classroom knowledge.

Contact: Dr. Tricia Jacobs, Director, Career and Technical Education tricia.jacobs@acps.k12.va.us

Early Childhood Programs are a critical PIECE of a quality educational experience. We endeavor to:

• Prepare the whole child
• Inspire learning
• Ensure positive experiences
• Cooperate with families and the community
• Establish a foundation for success

Contact: Jane Richardson, Coordinator, Citywide Early Childhood Programs jane.richardson@acps.k12.va.us

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers rigorous online courses that are closely aligned with Virginia standards, taught by highly qualified teachers, provide flexibility in pace, and offer differentiation and individualized instruction. The ACPS Online Learning Program (ACPS-OLP) has a committed team to ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed in their courses.

Contact: Dr. Izora Everson, Director of Online Learning izora.everson@acps.k12.va.us

Family Life Education is taught in grades kindergarten through 10th grade as part of the Physical Education course and taught by the PE teachers. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive, sequential K-10 program that includes age-appropriate instruction in family living and community relationships, abstinence education, human sexuality and reproduction, and the value of postponing sexual activity and benefits of adoption as a positive choice in the event of an unwanted pregnancy.  The curriculum strictly follows the Virginia Department of Education Family Life Education Standards of Learning and is explicitly taught by teachers who receive direct training prior to instruction.

Contact Information: Health/PE/Family Life Education Instructional Specialist Kristin Donley, kristin.donley@acps.k12.va.us

ACPS Fine Arts programming encompasses music, both vocal and instrumental, visual art, theatre, and dance. Please see each individual discipline for more information.

Contact Information: K-12 Fine Arts Instructional Specialist Meagan Carrick, meagan.carrick@acps.k12.va.us

The ACPS Physical Education curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive, sequential program that includes age-appropriate instruction in the essential concepts, processes, and skills for physical education in kindergarten through grade ten. The curriculum is based on the Virginia Department of Education Physical Education Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools providing learning experiences to help students understand the benefits of achieving and maintaining a physically active lifestyle and learn the skills necessary for performing a variety of physical activities.

Contact Information: Health/PE/Family Life Education Instructional Specialist Kristin Donley, kristin.donley@acps.k12.va.us

Students participate in social studies instruction at every grade level, K-12. Instruction is based on the Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science.

Contact Information: K-12 Social Studies Instructional Specialist Sarah Whelan, sarah.whelan@acps.k12.va.us 

Students have the opportunity to participate in a World Language in grades 6-12. Languages offered include Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish for Heritage Speakers and American Sign Language.

Contact Information: Tanja Mayer-Harding (tanja.mayer-harding@acps.k12.va.us)

Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to take a credit-by-exam assessment if they can read, write, speak and listen in the language of the exam being tested. Assessments are available in over 100 languages, including American Sign Language.

Students who are able to complete all work independently at the novice-high proficiency level or higher level on division-approved national or international assessments can earn up to three high school credits.

Credits earned go towards meeting the Virginia Department of Education world language requirements for the advanced diploma and also provide students the opportunity to meet the world language requirement for the highly regarded Virginia Diploma Seal of Biliteracy.

Contact: Tanja Mayer-Harding tanja.mayer-harding@acps.k12.va.us

Since 1998, the ACPS School Gardens Program has been fostering a love of learning by engaging students in hands-on learning experiences in our school gardens.  Students from preschool through high school participate in lessons exposing them to our natural world while also allowing them to deepen their understanding of curriculum concepts.

The vision of the School Gardens Program is to cultivate a community of life-long learners who are empowered to actively engage in academic and environmental learning. Every student will be inspired to care about the wellbeing of themselves, their community and the earth.

We'd love it if you'd subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our school gardens across the district.  Once subscribed, you'll be able to check out the latest edition

Subscription  https://www.parentsquare.com/.../62755602-e100-40c9.../new

Contact: School Gardens Specialist Melanie Wright at schoolgardens@acps.k12.va.us

The vision for K-12 mathematics education in the Commonwealth of Virginia is that all students have access to high-quality, equitable, and engaging mathematics instruction. Students participate in relevant learning opportunities that develop both conceptual and procedural understanding.

Contacts: 

Elementary Mathematics - Julia Neufer, julia.neufer@acps.k12.va.us

Secondary Mathematics - Suzanne Futrell, amy.futrell@acps.k12.va.us

The Planetarium at Alexandria City High School has been welcoming students to learn about our celestial neighbors for decades.  The current machine has been a fixture here since it was donated by the United States Army in 1985. Students from preschool through high school have benefitted from this resource with shows, tailored and designed by planetarium teachers, targeted specifically for their age group and coursework content.

Contact: Dr. Melissa Hamilton, planetarium teacher melissa.hamilton@acps.k12.va.us

What is taught in my science class?  Link to VDOE Science Standards Page

From the VDOE 2018 Standards of Learning: The content of the standards, in conjunction with effective instruction, provides a platform for creating scientifically literate students. The Science Standards of Learning reflect a vertical progression of content and practices. The Standards of Learning contain content strands or topics that progress in complexity as they are studied at various grade levels in grades K-5 and are represented indirectly throughout the middle and high school courses. These strands are:

●      Scientific and Engineering Practices

●       Force, Motion, and Energy

●      Matter

●       Living Systems and Processes

●       Earth and Space Systems

●       Earth Resources

Contacts: 

Science K-5: Erica Meili (Erica.Meili@acps.k12.va.us)

Science 6-12: Laura Prince (Laura.Prince@acps.k12.va.us)

Do you want to know more about the planetarium at ACHS King Street?  Email Melissa.Hamilton@acps.k12.va.us