Back-to-School Guide
Back-to-School
All the information Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) families need to assist them with the start of the 2024-25 school year is easy to access below. Back-to-School forms are provided for families to complete. Enrollment information is made available that can be filled out online or in person at your child’s school. The ACPS Back-to-School Guide also explains how to track your child’s transportation schedules as well as offering information about meals for students, which includes the application for Free and Reduced Price Meals.
If you need help in how to download the ParentSquare family app or school supply lists, the Back-to-School guide has all the information you need to know. The guide also includes the student code of conduct, how to access virtual mental health services and safety information as well as the ACPS Anonymous Reporting System.
If you are new to ACPS, ensure you enroll your student. Once enrolled, please update your student and family information through the Back to School form.
Enroll
If you haven't already enrolled your child, it can be completed online or in person at your child's school.
Complete Back to School Forms
Families are encouraged to complete the required Back to School forms through PowerSchool.
Student Code of Conduct
The ACPS Student Code of Conduct is designed to:
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Encourage all students to engage in behaviors that promote learning and keep ACPS school environments safe and orderly
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Inform the ACPS community of the possible consequences that address behavior infractions
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Promote opportunities for all ACPS students to acquire the social, emotional and academic skills to succeed as citizens in our global community
Transportation Schedules
The smartphone app Edulog Parent Portal assists with communication and school bus safety and is available free of charge for our parents, caregivers and students.
The Edulog Parent Portal app provides families with the scheduled time and location information for your students’ bus rides to and from school. On a daily basis, the app will show you the GPS location of the bus and send you a push notification when it is nearing your bus stop. You will also receive notification when a substitute bus is running your route due to scheduled maintenance on your regular bus, for example.
School Nutrition
The ACPS Office of School Nutrition Services, is committed to providing equitable access to quality meals that are nutritious, freshly prepared and culturally-inclusive. Our mission is to eliminate barriers to accessibility of nutritious meals, engage all students in opportunities for nutrition education, and meet the daily nutrition needs of students to optimize growth and academic performance.
Virtual Mental Health Services with Hazel Health
With Hazel Health, students can meet with a licensed therapist virtually for a therapy appointment. Services are available at school and at home, and are at no cost to families.
Hazel Health services include:
- Scheduled therapy appointments: Therapy can help students cope with what they’re feeling, such as behavior changes, anxiety, bullying, withdrawal, grief, peer and family relationships, depression, or stress.
- Licensed therapists: Hazel Health therapists are bilingual, diverse and are experts in the needs of children and teens.
- Care coordination: If your child needs additional services outside of Hazel Health services, Hazel will help connect you to local resources.
Gun Safety Resources
Explore the following resources to learn more about how to identify warning signs and support those who may be at risk, as well as strategies for promoting gun safety and preventing tragic incidents in our community.
Alexandria City Public Schools students are encouraged to contact their school counselor and any member of the Student Support Team (SST) for support with any challenges they may be experiencing regarding their emotional well-being.
Emergency Management Video Series
The Alexandria City Public Schools, Office of the Safety and Security encourages families to review these helpful tips on the emergency guidelines and procedures. The students and staff cover the emergency preparedness guidelines and procedures during the school year.
School Supply Lists
Find the list of recommended supplies used at each school in the list below.
- Francis C. Hammond Middle School
- George Washington Middle School
- Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
- Patrick Henry K-8 School
- Charles Barrett Elementary School
- Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
- Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School
- George Mason Elementary School
- James K. Polk Elementary School
- John Adams Elementary School
- Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy
- Mount Vernon Community School
- Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School
- Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School
- William Ramsay Elementary School
Important Back-to-School Dates
Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School
Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School
ACHS
Schools Following ACPS Traditional Calendar
Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School | Early Childhood Center | Charles Barrett Elementary School | Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
See locations in description
See locations in description
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ACHS—King Street | ACHS—Chance for Change
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ACHS—Minnie Howard
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ACHS—Satellite
See locations in description
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ACHS—King Street
ACPS Anonymous Reporting System
Please call 911 to report an emergency or a crime in progress.
The ACPS Anonymous Reporting System allows you to securely and anonymously report concerns about someone who may be a danger to themselves or others.
ParentSquare: Download the Family App
Back to School with ACPS Volunteers!
To chaperone a field trip or volunteer in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), please submit a volunteer application for the 2024-25 school year.
Join Your School PTA!
ACPS partners with the city’s Virginia Parent-Teacher Association Council. Alexandria Council of PTAs and PTSAs, also known as PTAC, connects 17 Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) units across Alexandria’s public schools whose mission is “to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.”