Humanities
Social Studies
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.
Elementary Social Studies
In grades K-3, students learn about geography, economics, civics, and history. They begin by learning about their own community, and then expand outward to the state, country, and world. Fourth grade is an in-depth exploration of Virginia Studies, with an SOL test at the end of the course. In fifth grade, students learn more about the geographic regions of the United States and their history.
Secondary Social Studies
In grades 6-12, students participate in core courses in United States history, civics, world history, and government/economics. Students also have the opportunity to explore social studies electives, including a wide range of Advanced Placement options. A complete list of courses offered at the secondary level can be found in the ACPS Program of Studies.
Contact Information:
K-12 Social Studies Instructional Specialist Sarah Whelan, sarah.whelan@acps.k12.va.us
World Languages
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. Course content is aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning for World Languages.
In World Language classes, students learn to communicate in real-life contexts about topics that are familiar and meaningful to them. To develop students’ communicative competence, emphasis is placed on use of the target language in the classroom as exclusively as possible and on use of authentic materials to learn about the language and culture. Grammar is integrated into instruction according to the vocabulary and structures needed in the various situations in which students are required to communicate. Through the language learning process, students develop a greater understanding of the structure of their own language and the unique aspects of their own culture. An important component of learning a modern world language is using the language in the real world beyond the classroom setting.
ACPS offers a variety of World Language courses and sequences. See the Program of Studies for more information.
World Language Credit by Exam
Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to take a credit by exam assessment if they can listen, read, write and speak in the language of their choice, other than English. Assessments are available in over 100 languages, including American Sign Language. Students can earn up to three high school credits dependent on their rated proficiency level on a division and state approved national or international assessment. Credits earned are applied towards meeting the Virginia Department of Education World Language requirement for the advanced diploma. It also provides students the opportunity to meet the World Language requirement for the Virginia Diploma Seal of Biliteracy.
Learn more about World Language Credit by Exam
Virginia Diploma Seal of Biliteracy
Contact Information:
Tanja Mayer-Harding (tanja.mayer-harding@acps.k12.va.us)
Health and PE
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.
The ACPS Health Education curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive, sequential program that includes age-appropriate instruction in nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention, substance abuse prevention, injury and violence prevention, social, emotional, mental, and environmental health. Instruction is designed to promote community involvement, self-advocacy, foster positive self-esteem and provide mechanisms for coping with peer pressure, resolving conflicts, decision making and the stresses of modern living according to the students' developmental stages and abilities. The curriculum is based on the Virginia Department of Education Health Standards of Learning. Elementary Health lessons are embedded into the PE curriculum and taught through movement activities. Secondary Health is taught by the Physical Education teachers in grades 6-10 and typically students rotate into the classroom each quarter for a few weeks of Health instruction.
Contact Information:
Health/PE/Family Life Education Instructional Specialist Kristin Donley, kristin.donley@acps.k12.va.us
Family Life Education
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.
A parent or guardian has the right to review the family life curricula and may exempt their child from participating in the Family Life Education lessons at any grade level.
ACPS Family Life Education Curriculum Information and Guidelines
Contact Information:
Health/PE/Family Life Education Instructional Specialist Kristin Donley, kristin.donley@acps.k12.va.us
Fine Arts
ACPS Fine Arts programming encompasses music, both vocal and instrumental, visual art, theatre, and dance. Please see each individual discipline for more information.
Music
Elementary Offerings
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PK-5 General Music: students attend general music once per week as part of the encore rotation.
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Grades 4-5 Instrumental Music: students in grades 4-5 have the option to join band or orchestra.
Secondary Offerings
A complete list of courses offered at the secondary level can be found in the ACPS Program of Studies.
Standards of Learning:
The 2020 Fine Arts Standards of Learning were approved by the Virginia Board of Education on May 7, 2020: 2020 Music Standards of Learning.
Visual Art
Elementary Offerings
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PK-5 Visual Arts: students attend art once per week as part of the encore rotation.
Secondary Offerings
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A complete list of courses offered at the secondary level can be found in the ACPS Program of Studies.
Standards of Learning:
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The 2020 Fine Arts Standards of Learning were approved by the Virginia Board of Education on May 7, 2020: 2020 Visual Arts Standards of Learning.
Theatre
Secondary Offerings
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A complete list of courses offered at the secondary level can be found in the ACPS Program of Studies.
Standards of Learning:
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The 2020 Fine Arts Standards of Learning were approved by the Virginia Board of Education on May 7, 2020: 2020 Theatre Arts Standards of Learning.
Dance
Secondary Offerings
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A complete list of courses offered at the secondary level can be found in the ACPS Program of Studies.
Standards of Learning:
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The 2020 Fine Arts Standards of Learning were approved by the Virginia Board of Education on May 7, 2020: 2020 Dance Arts Standards of Learning.
Contact Information:
K-12 Fine Arts Instructional Specialist Meagan Carrick, meagan.carrick@acps.k12.va.us