CURRENT RETURN LEVEL: 0 |
The Phased Return to Hybrid In-Person Learning Plan defines five levels of return, prioritized by students’ level of need and ability to access learning remotely; the plan is based on guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, as well as regional and local health metrics in consultation with the Arlington County Public Health Division.
See the APS Health & Safety plan for school buildings
RETURN LEVELS AND OVERVIEW
APS will begin with Level 1 Return for a small group of students with disabilities in mid- to late-October, followed by Level 2 Return for Prek-5th grade students including English Learners, students with disabilities, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) students enrolled in the Career Center, in mid-November through early January. Level 3 Return, for secondary students who select hybrid, in-person learning, is planned for January, depending on health and operational metrics. Ability to proceed to each Level is based on the COVID-19 dashboard. If community health conditions worsen, APS, in collaboration with the Arlington County Public Health Department, will pause at the current level, reverse, or suspend all in-person instruction.
APS Phased Return to Hybrid, In-Person Learning Plan
| LEVEL | OPERATING STATUS | STUDENT GROUP(S) | TARGET TIMING |
| LEVEL 0 (Grey) | Full Distance Learning | All students | Current Status |
| LEVEL 1 (Red) | In-person distance learning supports for select students with disabilities (SWD) | SWDs who require direct support to access the curriculum as presented via distance learning. | November 4 |
| LEVEL 2 (Orange) | Schools and offices open with limited required reporting. Majority of students learn from a distance. Select student groups will participate in Hybrid, in-person learning. |
Early Learners – All PreK-2nd grade students, including English Learners and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Career and Technical Education (CTE) Students (list of courses included in Level 2) |
November 12: PreK and Kindergarten students + CTE students Early December: 1st and 2nd grade students |
| Early Learners – All 3rd-5th grade students, including English Learners and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). | Early January 2021 | ||
| LEVEL 3 (Yellow) | Schools and offices open. Students participate in a hybrid model (distance and in-person). | All Secondary Students Choosing Hybrid/In-Person Learning | Mid-January 2021 |
| LEVEL 4 (Green) | Schools open at 100% capacity for in-person instruction. | All students. | TBD |
VIEW THE DASHBOARD TO SEE CURRENT LEVELS
SELECTION PROCESS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
APS will provide an opportunity for students and families, as well as staff, to update the return selections they made in mid-July prior to each Level Return.
Staff: Staff were surveyed in early October with the survey closing October 16.
Families: APS contacted Return Level 1 families directly to confirm preference the week of Sept. 28. For Level 2, APS opened the ParentVUE process for all Level 2 students and families to update their selections by Friday, October 23. Learn More
See the Level 2 Selection Process Results
UPDATED Hybrid In-Person/Distance Learning Model
The hybrid in-person/distance-learning model delivers in-person instruction in APS schools, with physical distancing and health and safety measures in place to protect students and staff, per CDC and VDH guidelines. In this model, students will receive synchronous instruction 4 days per week, Tues-Fri, attending school in-person on two consecutive days each week, and attending virtually the other two days. Mondays will give teachers time for planning and also for small-group interventions and office hours, as necessary.
Face coverings/masks are required for students and staff while at school/work unless medically exempt. See the APS Mask Policy
Sample Schedules
