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Schools & Programs

Learn about neighborhood schools, option schools and programs, start and end times, family information sessions, and more.

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Note: This map does NOT indicate school boundaries.
If you need to find out what school boundary you live in, please use our boundary locator.

Early Childhood

Learn about PreK and how to apply

APS offers three high-quality early childhood programs for children ages 2 years and 6 months through 5. Learn about early childhood, kindergarten, and services for children with suspected delays.

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

  • Age requirement: 4 years old by September 30th
  • Full school day
  • Free for income eligible families

Primary Montessori

  • Ages 3 to 5 years old
  • Students must turn 3 years old by September 30th
  • Full school day
  • Tuition is charged on a sliding fee schedule based on family income

Community Peer PreK (CPP) – Ages 2 years and 6 months to 5

  • Toddler Program – Ages 2.5 through 3 – 25 hours a week
  • PreK Program – Ages 3.5 through 5 – Full school day
  • Tuition is charged on a sliding fee schedule based on family income. 

The application window for the 2024-25 school year opens on February 1, 2024. Learn about the application process, eligibility and required documents. Spaces are limited.

Elementary Schools

Learn about how to prepare and register for Kindergarten!

Watch the video

Neighborhood Schools

Every student is guaranteed a space in the neighborhood school designated by their home address. Registration is required. Learn about each neighborhood school.


Abingdon, Carlin Springs, Long Branch, Randolph

Start and end time: 7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m    Early release: 12:20 p.m.


BarrettAlice West FleetArlington Science Focus, Ashlawn, Barcroft, Cardinal, Discovery, Dr. Charles R. Drew, Escuela Key, Glebe,Hoffman-Boston, Innovation, Jamestown, Nottingham, Oakridge, Taylor, Tuckahoe

Start and end time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.   Early release: 1:30 p.m.

Option Schools and Programs

Option schools and programs offer specialized educational instruction. Interested families must submit an online application during a specific time period. Spaces are limited.

Learn about the application and lottery process.


Four option schools/programs are offered for elementary students (kindergarten – 5th grade).

Arlington Traditional School (ATS)

ATS’s success is grounded in a traditional approach to education focused on the ABCs of Success: Academics, Behavior, Character

Start and end time: 7:50 to 2:40 p.m.    Early release: 12:20 p.m.


Campbell

Campbell is a member of the Expeditionary Learning (EL) Education national organization. In EL schools, there is an emphasis on authentic learning, rigorous academics, and a supportive school culture.

Start and end time: 7:50 to 2:40 p.m.    Early release: 12:20 p.m.


Montessori Public School of Arlington

The Montessori program provides an interdisciplinary, discovery-based approach to learning following the tenets of Dr. Maria Montessori.

Start and end time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.    Early release: 1:30 p.m.


Dual Language Immersion (Spanish-English) at Claremont and Escuela Key.

The goals of the program are to develop bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish while learning the core curriculum, promote high academic achievement for all students, and foster cross-cultural awareness and competency.

Claremont start and end time: 7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.    Early release: 12:20 p.m.

Escuela Key start and end time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.    Early release: 1:30 p.m.

Family Information Sessions (February - March)

Each elementary school offers an in-person information session, between February and March, for the following school year. Families are encouraged to attend to learn about their assigned neighborhood school or option school of interest, meet school staff, and ask questions.

See the schedule of sessions

Middle Schools

Neighborhood Schools

Every student is guaranteed a space in the neighborhood school designated by their home address. Registration is required. Learn about each neighborhood middle school:

Start and end time: 7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.    Early release: 12:05 p.m.

Option Schools and Programs

Option schools and programs offer specialized educational instruction. Interested families must submit an online application during a specific time period. Spaces are limited.

Learn about the application and lottery process. Review frequently asked questions.


Three programs are offered for middle school students (grades 6-8)

H-B Woodlawn

The H-B Woodlawn program’s central focus is student choice. Students make choices in three general areas: use of time and personal behavior, educational goals and school governance.

Start and end time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Early release: 1:30 p.m.

Slot allotment — Pursuant to APS options and transfers procedures, slots in the sixth-grade class at H-B Woodlawn will be assigned based on the size of fifth-grade cohorts in each elementary school, including option schools, and based on the number of students who were not previously enrolled in APS who applied to the program.2023-24 School Year


Dual Language English and Spanish Immersion Program at Gunston

The goals of the program are to develop bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish while learning the core curriculum, promote high academic achievement for all students, and foster cross-cultural awareness and competency.

  • Students currently enrolled in the APS elementary dual language immersion programs will complete an Intent-to-Return form in the spring through their school.
  • Students not currently in an APS dual language immersion program will need to meet language requirements for acceptance into the middle school program.

Start and end time: 7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.    Early release: 12:05 p.m.


Montessori Middle Years Program at Gunston

The Montessori Middle Years program follows Maria Montessori’s philosophy, children engage in learning activities of their own choosing in a multi-age, well-ordered physical environment.

  • Students currently enrolled in the APS Montessori program will complete an Intent-to-Return form in the Spring through the elementary Montessori program.
  • Students entering this program from outside of APS will need to meet Montessori experience requirements for acceptance into the middle school program.

Start and end time: 7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.    Early release: 12:05 p.m.

Transitioning to Middle School

General timeline for rising 6th-grade APS students:

October

December – January:

  • Middle schools offer family information sessions.

January – February:

  • Elementary school counselors hold “transition to middle school” meetings with students and families.
  • Middle school counselors visit elementary schools to help students learn about what courses are available and what paths they can take.

March:

  • Rising  6th-grade course request forms are due.

April:

  • Students participate in middle school orientations at their new middle school.

Family Information Sessions (December - January)

Each middle school offers an in-person information session between December and January. Families are encouraged to attend to learn about their assigned neighborhood school or option school of interest, meet school staff, and ask questions.

See the schedule of sessions

High Schools

Neighborhood Schools

Every student is guaranteed a space in the neighborhood school designated by their home address. Registration is required. Learn about each neighborhood middle school:

Start and end times: 8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Early release: 1 p.m.

Additional Secondary Schools and Programs

Arlington Career Center

Start and end times 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.    Early release: 12:25 p.m.


Arlington Community High School

  • Morning Program (Monday – Friday) 8:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.    Early release: 12:15 p.m.
  • Evening Program (Monday – Thursday) 5:00 p.m. to 9:10 p.m.  No evening early release

Langston Continuation/New Directions Program

Start and end times 8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Early release: 12:35 p.m.


Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program

Start and end times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.    Early release: 1:15 p.m.

Option Schools and Programs

Option schools and programs offer specialized educational instruction. Interested families must submit an online application during a specific time period. Spaces are limited.

Learn about the application and lottery process. Review frequently asked questions.


Five programs are offered for high school students (grades 9-12)

H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program focuses on student choice. Students make choices in three general areas: use of time and personal behavior, educational goals and school governance.

Start and end times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Early release: 1:30 p.m.

Slot allotment for prospective students: 


Arlington Tech @ the Arlington Career Center

The Arlington Tech program is a CTE Governors STEM Academy. Through a partnership with NOVA, students earn college credits, degrees, or certificates in dual enrolled classes.  Students participate in:

  • A rigorous early college program
  • Project-based learning with a focus on collaboration and project management
  • Course pathways focused on STEM and CTE classes
  • A year-long capstone during senior year

Start and end times: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.    Early release: 12:25 p.m.


IB @ Washington-Liberty

The IB diploma curriculum at Washington-Liberty offers a rigorous and comprehensive education based on a global perspective.

The number of IB transfer slots for each school year is based on the previous year’s grade 9 admissions and grade 12 completions.

Start and end times: 8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Early release 1 p.m.


The Wakefield AP Network was created to provide student support through a variety of academic and counseling initiatives. Wakefield offers 30 of the 38 AP courses authorized by the College Board.

Start and end times: 8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Early release 1 p.m.


The Wakefield Dual Language (English and Spanish) Immersion Program provides an academic continuation of the middle school English-Spanish Immersion Program provided at Gunston Middle School.

  • 8th Grade students who wish to continue in high school will complete an Intent-to-Return form in the spring.
  • Interested students who are new to APS and have academic language skills in Spanish and English, will need to take a proficiency exam.

Start and end times: 8:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Early release 1 p.m.


Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is a Fairfax County public school designated by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as a Governor’s regional school offering a comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing the sciences, mathematics, and technology. Learn about their admissions process and timeline.

Transitioning to High School

General timeline for rising 9th-grade APS students:

November – January:

  • High schools offer family information sessions.

January:

  • Middle school counselors hold “transition to high school” meetings with students and families.

February – March:

  • High school counselors visit middle schools to help students learn about what courses are available and what paths they can take.
  • Rising 9th-grade course request forms are due

Summer:

  • Students participate in high school orientations at their high school.

Learn about graduation requirements.

Family Information Sessions (November - December)

Each high school offers an in-person information session between November and December. Families are encouraged to attend to learn about their assigned neighborhood school or option school of interest, meet school staff, and ask questions.

See the schedule of sessions