Back-to-School Toolkit

Posted on August 21, 2024

The Online Back-to-School Packet will be available on ParentVUE on Aug. 26 and must be completed by Sept. 30

Fill out your Online Back-to-School Packet

Important Dates before school starts: August 2024

Aug. 12 – Bus assignment information available on ParentVUE

Aug. 20 – (6 p.m.) Student information, including classroom assignments, available on ParentVUE

Aug. 22 – Open Houses – Times vary

Aug. 26 – First Day of School for K-12

Aug. 26 – Required Online Back-to-School Packet opens on ParentVUE

Aug. 27 – First Day of School for PreK and VPI

The First 30 days: September 2024

Aug. 30 & Sept. 2 – Labor Day Holiday

Sept. 4– Back-to-School Toolkit Virtual Session

Sept. 11 – H-B Woodlawn Back-to-School Night

Sept. 12 – Elementary Back-to-School Night

Sept. 18 – Middle School Back-to-School Night

Sept. 24 – Career Center/Arlington Tech/ Arlington Community High School Back-to-School Night

Sept. 25 – High Schools/Langston Back-to-School Night

View the full school year calendar
See for important dates, including holidays, parent-teacher conferences and more! 2024-25 School Year Calendar

School Start and End Times

Elementary Schools

7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Early release: 12:20 p.m.	Abingdon, Arlington Traditional, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Claremont, Integration Station, Long Branch, Randolph
9 a.m. – 3:50 p.m. Early release: 1:30 p.m.	Barrett, Arlington Science Focus, Ashlawn, Barcroft, Cardinal, Discovery, Drew, Glebe, Fleet, Hoffman-Boston, Innovation, Jamestown, Key, Montessori, Nottingham, Oakridge, Taylor, Tuckahoe

Middle Schools

7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Early release: 12:05 p.m.

Dorothy Hamm, Gunston, Kenmore, Swanson, Thomas Jefferson, Williamsburg

High Schools & Programs

8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Early release: 1 p.m.

Wakefield, Washington-Liberty, Yorktown

9 a.m. – 3:50 p.m. Early release: 1:15 p.m.	Shriver
9 a.m. – 3:50 p.m. Early release: 1:30 p.m.	H-B Woodlawn
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Early release: 12:25 p.m.	Arlington Career Center
8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Early release: 12:35 p.m.	Langston New Directions
AM Program 8:00 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. M-F AM Early Release 12:15 p.m.PM Program 5:00 p.m. – 9:10 p.m. M-Th No PM Early Release	Arlington Community High School

Bus Schedules

Elementary school children waiting outside bus

Bus information for eligible students will be available in ParentVUE on Aug. 12.
If you have questions, call: 703-228-6640 or 703-228-8000 and select option #2.

6 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 23
6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Starting Aug. 26

The Call Center will be closed over Labor Day weekend. Spanish-speaking agents are available.

Contact Transportation

Does your student ride public transport? Check out the iRide Student Fare Free Program!

New Cell Phone Rules

Cell Phones Off and Away

APS has a new Policy Implementation Procedure, M-12 PIP-11 Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices, in effect for the start of the 2024-25 school year, that provides specific guidance and rules for students in elementary, middle and high school. Our goal is to ensure students are fully present and engaged in the classroom, encourage appropriate technology use, and support teachers in removing a well-documented source of distraction.

At the elementary school and middle school level, all devices will need to be off and away in backpacks or lockers during the school day. At the high school level, all devices need to be off and away during instructional periods—students may use devices in between classes, before the first class and after the last class of the day.

Food & Nutrition Services

Middle school students choosing healthy food in cafeteria lunch line

Free & Reduced Meals: All Families must reapply every school year to receive benefits. Students who received benefits last school year have a 30-day grace period from the 1st day of school to re-apply. How to apply: – Online through myschoolapps.com – Paper applications are available online at the Food Services Office Contact 703-228-8000 Option 4.

Community Eligibility Program: Students who attend Abingdon, Barrett, Barcroft, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Drew, Randolph, Kenmore, and Wakefield will receive meals at no cost. Students do not need to apply.

Meal Prices: All students have an account throughusing their student ID through my school bucks. We encourage families to monitor their students’ account throughout the year to avoid a balance. Daily meal menus can be viewed online.

Breakfast $2.25 Elementary Lunch $3.35 Middle & High School $3.60

Contact Food Services

Extended Day

teacher with elementary students laughing

NEW PAY PORTAL Extended Day families are now able to use Tuition Express to make payments seamlessly from their Extended Day account while being able to view the account balance information. Contact Extended Day 703-228-8000 Option 3.

Learn more about Extended Day

Health Forms and Immunizations

nurse with student

You must complete all required health forms and immunizations before the start of school!

New elementary students need:
School Health Entrance Health Form
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Form

Rising 7th graders need:
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap)
Meningococcal (MenACWY)
First dose HPV vaccine

Rising 12th graders need:
Meningococcal (MenACWY) booster (given after age 16)

For more information, contact your school’s nurse or your child’s primary care physician or visit
Arlington County School Health Requirements.

Stay Connected!

What is ParentSquare?
A communication tool where families can receive messages from the school and the division via email, text and/or mobile app in your preferred language. Families can also send two-way texts with automated translation between staff and families and more!

How do I get a ParentSquare account? Download the app and log in with a phone number or email registered with your school.

View more information and resources about ParentSquare

For questions about ParentSquare, please email [email protected] or contact your student’s school.

Download the app for Apple IOS

Download the app for Android

What is ParentVUE?
ParentVUE is a tool that allows parents and guardians access to their students’ grades, attendance information, and more. Parents and guardians can submit updates to contact information, check attendance, and complete the online back-to-school packet.

How do I get a ParentVUE account?
Parents must create a ParentVUE account using an Activation Code that is sent from your school. When creating the account, parents will choose their own username and password and can manage this password using the More Options/Forgot.

View more information and resources on ParentVUE

Contact your student’s school for help accessing ParentVUE.

Download the app on your iPhone or Android today!

Additional Resources

NEW APS Contact Card

NEW Coming soon

UPDATED 2024-25 APS Handbook & Student Code of Conduct