Early Childhood Programs at Yorktown and Arlington Career Center/Grace Hopper

The Early Childhood Programs at Yorktown High School and Arlington Career Center (ACC) serve as lab preschool classrooms, providing a unique, hands-on learning environment for high school students enrolled in Early Childhood Education courses.

These classrooms welcome preschoolers aged 3 to 4 and offer a rich, developmentally appropriate learning environment led by a certified early childhood educator. In addition to instruction from the lead teacher, preschool students benefit from engaging interactions with APS high school students who assist in the classroom. This collaborative model not only supports the growth and development of our youngest learners but also offers aspiring educators valuable experience in child development, classroom management, and instructional strategies

Program Schedule and Hours

2026-2027:

Programs follow the APS calendar and the High School early release schedule

Early Childhood Program at Arlington Career Center/Grace Hopper:

In fall 2026, the Early Childhood Program at Arlington Career Center will transition to the Grace Hopper building.
8:15 AM- 2:45 PM
Early release days: 12:30 PM dismissal

Early Childhood Program at Yorktown High School:

9:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Early release days: 12:15 PM dismissal

Tuition

Tuition determined using the following formula: (Family gross income x .05)/ Number of children you have enrolled in a fee based childcare setting
Maximum tuition is $12,500
All families of 3 year old children pay tuition.
Families of four year old students who have a gross income below 80% of the median income in Arlington do not pay tuition.
Families of four year old students who have a gross income above 80% of the median income in Arlington pay tuition.
80% of the median income in Arlington based on household size:
- - 2 people– $104,960
  - 3 people– $118,080
  - 4 people– $131,120
  - 5 people– $141,680
  - 6 people– $152,160

Transportation

APS transportation is not provided.

Extended Day

Extended Day (before and after care) is not available for children enrolled in the Early Childhood Programs at Yorktown and Arlington Career Center/Grace Hopper.

Toilet Training Guidelines

Q. What does it mean to be “toilet trained”?

A. Children must be toilet trained to enroll in the Early Childhood Programs at Yorktown and Arlington Career Center/Grace Hopper.

The Office of Early Childhood understands that being toilet trained is a developmental skill that children reach at different ages.

The Early Childhood Program is not able to toilet train unless your child has an Individualized Education Plan, a Section 504 Plan or a Medical Care Plan that indicates specific accommodations for toileting.

A toilet trained child:

Wears underwear during the day at school and at home
Indicates the need to use the bathroom
Uses the bathroom independently
Can remove most clothes and put clothes back on as necessary.
Toileting accidents are expected as a rare occurrence. A child is not yet considered toilet trained for APS preschool programs if the child has 8 or more toileting accidents the first month of school.