Volunteering with APS is an important way to give back, and your contributions enrich our educational programs and empower our students. Our volunteer network has grown to represent more than 5,000 volunteers who contribute to the community, our programs and most of all, our students.
Application Process and FAQ
Interested in volunteering with us? To ensure the safety of our students, staff and visitors, there are a few steps to complete before beginning your service.
- Complete the Volunteer Application Form. To begin the application process, click on the link below:
- Complete the mandatory online Safe Schools Sexual Misconduct training. Before the volunteer application is approved, the sexual misconduct training must be successfully completed. This training is required for any volunteer (parent or community member) who supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc.
- Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve. Each volunteer will be informed once their application is approved. If you do not hear back about the status of your application within one week please contact Dawn Smith and let her know how you want to get involved. Once approved, your application is valid for three years.
When filling out the application, please note that applicants are required to complete all fields that are marked with an asterisk.
Volunteer Opportunities
Arlington Community High School
Arlington Community High School is currently seeking tutors with flexible work schedules to help between 8 am to 3 pm. Tutoring is 1:1 meeting on a weekly basis. We are currently seeking tutors to help our students in English Literature, Biology, and Math.
For more information, please contact Daniel Castillo at daniel.castillo@apsva.us
Barrett Elementary School
Barrett Elementary School is passionate about its Roving Reader program and is looking for some fresh faces to join this school year. If you have a love for multicultural literacy and a joy for reading to children, reach out to Arturo Ramirez at arturo.ramirez@apsva.us for more information.
Gunston Middle School
Math Tutors Needed! We are looking for 5 to 10 volunteers who have a passion for math and a desire to help students strengthen their skills! Volunteers will work with small, multigrade groups of students to support them in understanding basic math concepts such as number sense and fractions. Details:
- Time Commitment: 3 days a week, from 7:45 am to 8:30 am
- Focus Areas: Number sense, fractions, and other foundational math skills
Please contact Amy Yosick at Amy.Yosick@apsva.us for more information.
Yorktown High School
Yorktown High School English Learners (EL) Department is recruiting volunteers to help in EL classes. Classes are basic English, social studies, science and math. No expertise is required. Times are as follows:
- 8:20 – 9:45 am
- 9:50 – 10:45 am
- 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Spanish and English speakers alike are encouraged to volunteer.
- For more information, contact EL teacher Ms. Justine Springberg, justine.springberg@apsva.us
El Departamento de Estudiantes de Inglés (EL) de Yorktown High School está reclutando voluntarios para ayudar en las clases de los estudiantes de inglés. Las clases son de inglés básico, estudios sociales, ciencias y matemáticas. No se requiere experiencia. El horario de clases es el siguiente:
- 8:20 – 9:45 am
- 9:50 – 10:45 am
- 13:30 – 15:00 pm
Se anima a los hispanohablantes tanto como a los angloparlantes a ser voluntarios.
- Para obtener más información, comuníquese con la maestra de EL, la Sra. Justine Springberg, justine.springberg@apsva.us
How to Volunteer: Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be a volunteer?
Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as members of the community interested in supporting education and have any interest in investing their time and talents to support students in Arlington.
How do I become a volunteer?
All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities must complete an application and State-mandated Safe Schools Training for volunteers and chaperones. This training requirement also applies to volunteers who regularly help in the classroom, and those who wish to attend field trips and chaperone trips to the Outdoor Lab. The application and online training is provided in English and Spanish.
Who needs to complete the application and training? Who is exempt?
For the 2023-24 school year, everyone who wants to support our schools and students as a volunteer on a regular and one time basis must complete the process. This includes those who chaperone lunch, help in the classroom, attend field trips, volunteers in other capacity, and also includes enrichment providers.
Why do I need to complete this process if I want to chaperone my student’s field trip?
It is essential that chaperones complete the process since they are often off-site, off school grounds with groups of students other than their own children and may be unsupervised by APS staff members during those trips at certain times.
What is Raptor Technologies?
Raptor Technologies is the online platform APS uses for the Visitor Management System as well as for volunteers, sex offender screening and the visitor, volunteer, contractor, and staff sign in/out process. Individuals wishing to volunteer with an individual school or multiple schools is able to complete their application online in English and Spanish by accessing the Raptor Technology systems links dedicated to the school division.
Where can I find the online volunteer application link?
The link to the online application can be found by clicking one of the links below.
How will APS know that I have completed the training?
Participation is recorded and tracked by APS within the Safe Schools System. Schools will access a report listing the family and community members who have successfully completed the training. Once complete, contact the school liaison with your certificate and they will load it into the Raptor system so that you will be approved for three years.
How long does it take to complete the volunteer process?
The volunteer process usually takes about a week from start to finish.
- Fill out the volunteer application online (approx. five minutes)
- Receive the Safe Schools training link (usually within 48 hours of completing the application)
- Complete the online training (approx. 35 minutes)
- Send certificate to Alicia Zekan in School & Community Relations, alicia.zekan@apsva.us.
- Receive approval email (within one week)
- If you have questions about the approval process, contact Alicia Zekan at alicia.zekan@apsva.us.
How do I find volunteer opportunities?
The best way to begin volunteering is to contact the school directly to find out what volunteer opportunities are available.
What procedures do I follow when volunteering?
To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:
- Volunteers must sign-in and sign-out of the building using the Visitor Management System (VMS).
- Volunteers must wear the VMS produced volunteer identification name tag at all times while on school property.
- Volunteers may not access confidential student or personnel records and should respect the confidentiality of students.
- Volunteers working with students must be within view of other APS staff members and avoid unsupervised, one-on-one student contact.
Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns about my role as a volunteer or required volunteer training?
For concerns not addressed at the school level, contact Dawn Smith, Volunteer, Partnership and Events Manager. She can be reached by email at dawn.smith@apsva.us or by phone at 703-228-2581.
Contact
We appreciate your interest in working with our students and our schools!
Dawn Smith
Volunteers, Partnership and Events Manager
2110 Washington Blvd, 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22204
Email: dawn.smith@apsva.us
Phone: 703-228-2581
Alicia Zekan
Volunteer Applications
alicia.zekan@apsva.us
703-228-6002