APS Media Center

The Department of School and Community Relations coordinates all media inquiries and responses on behalf of APS.

• All media inquiries should be directed to the Department of School and Community Relations.
• Media should not contact schools, students or staff directly to arrange interviews, photography, filming or visits.
• Media are encouraged to submit requests as far in advance as possible.
• Requests are subject to staff availability, school schedules, operational considerations and the nature of the inquiry.
• APS reserves the right to grant, modify or decline requests and may coordinate shared interview opportunities when appropriate.

Requests for public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) should be submitted through the APS FOIA process. All requests are managed in accordance with Virginia law and applicable School Board policy and administrative procedures.

• APS FOIA Requests
• APS FOIA Email

Visiting Schools and Facilities

Media interested in visiting APS schools or facilities must coordinate in advance through the Department of School and Community Relations.

• All visits must be approved prior to arrival.
• Media are required to check in at the school’s main office upon arrival.
• A School and Community Relations team member or school-based designee may accompany media while on site.
• Visits are scheduled to minimize disruption to teaching and learning.
• Certain school activities, schedules or safety considerations may limit access on specific days.
• To protect the safety, security and privacy of students and staff, media must receive prior approval before entering APS property for reporting, photography, filming or interviews.
• APS property includes school buildings, grounds and parking lots.
• Media without approval should remain in public right-of-way areas, such as sidewalks or surrounding streets.

Interviews with Staff

• All interview requests involving APS employees in their official capacity must be coordinated through the Department of School and Community Relations.
• The department will assist in identifying appropriate subject matter experts and coordinating interviews when approved.
• Employees participating in media interviews as representatives of APS should do so through the established media relations process.

Student privacy and safety are priorities for APS.

• All requests to photograph, film or interview students must be coordinated through the Department of School and Community Relations.
• Parent or guardian consent must be verified before a student participates in an interview, photograph or video intended for media use.
• A staff member from the Department of School and Community Relations, school or designated APS representative must be present during student interviews.
• Media may be asked to avoid or limit the capture of identifiable student images when consent cannot be verified.

• Photos, videos and other multimedia content created by Arlington Public Schools remain the property of APS unless otherwise noted.
• Requests to reproduce, distribute or otherwise use APS-owned media should be directed to the Department of School and Community Relations.
• Use of APS-owned media may be subject to copyright, privacy and licensing considerations.
• APS reserves the right to approve, limit or deny requests for use of division-owned media assets.
• When requested, media should include the following credit:Photo Credit: ©[Year] Arlington Public Schools

• Media are welcome to attend and cover all open meetings of the Arlington School Board.
• Agendas, supporting materials and meeting information are available through BoardDocs.
• Media may record meetings from designated areas.
• To maintain meeting decorum, interviews should be conducted outside designated meeting spaces or in pre-arranged locations.
• Advance notice is appreciated when accommodations may be needed.

During emergencies, APS is committed to providing accurate and timely information while prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff.

• All media inquiries during an emergency must be directed to the Department of School and Community Relations so school-based staff can remain focused on response efforts.
• Access to school buildings or sites may be limited, and media may be directed to designated areas to allow emergency personnel to respond effectively.
• Information will be shared as it becomes available, can be verified and is appropriate for public release.
• APS will respond to media inquiries as quickly as circumstances allow. During emergencies, the immediate safety and well-being of students, staff and the school community remains the division’s first priority.

• Media must receive approval before entering APS property.
• Filming, photography or interviews conducted on school grounds require prior authorization.
• Media must comply with all visitor management, identification and security procedures while on APS property.
• Media should not disrupt instruction, student movement or school operations.
• Interviews should not occur in arrival or dismissal areas or in locations that impact safety or traffic flow.
• Media covering public performances, athletic events or other public events may do so without prior approval when attending solely for that event and not reporting on unrelated matters.
• Media must remain in designated areas and not interfere with the event.
• Outside of approved access, media should remain in public right-of-way areas.