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As a top Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax real estate agent, I can tell you things about the schools that no report generated by a computer will ever know. It’s my job to know, and I love my job!
Alexandria City Public Schools
Alexandria City Public Schools is a small enough system to feel like a family, but large enough to command the resources for state-of-the art teaching and learning. The district’s strength lies in its strong leadership at all levels: a dedicated school administration and school board, devoted teachers and support staff, and a caring community.
About 85% of the district’s budget is committed to instruction and instructional support for the approximately 11,000 students served in 13 elementary schools, two middle schools, a unique ninth grade school, a high school and an alternative high school.
Teachers receive salaries that are quite competitive within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and benefits that rank among the best. And with an average class size ranging between 20 and 23 students, teachers and students enjoy a high quality classroom setting.
From their first day in Alexandria City Public Schools, students experience award-winning teachers and principals who are child centered and achievement-focused. Alexandria’s educators are held in high professional esteem by parents, community leaders, and the media. The district provides an extensive and meaningful orientation for new employees, monitors performance, maintains an effective support system, and encourages teachers to model for their students a philosophy of life-long learning.
Today’s educational technology can no longer be seen as merely a learning tool. Computers, and all of the capabilities that they provide, are extensions of the individual’s power to communicate and function in today’s information-rich, multicultural global society. Technology is rapidly becoming the environment in which students, teachers, and administrators work every day.
Recognized as one of the most technology rich school districts in Virginia, Alexandria City Public Schools provide teachers with notebook computers and boasts a 3 to 1 ratio of students to computers, compared to a 6 to 1 ratio across Virginia. A fiber optic network interconnects all ACPS sites and provides high speed Internet connectivity from virtually every room. Every school has state-of-the-art computer labs, digital video production facilities, and full-time school based technology support personnel (called network resource teachers) who train and support their colleagues.
Every classroom has a telephone with multiple voice mailboxes, providing teachers with convenient access and the ability to record assignments and other pertinent information for students and parents to retrieve from home. ACPS voice mail capabilities also make it possible for teachers and parents to stay in touch, regardless of work schedules and without unwanted interruptions.
If you are a parent interested in enrolling your child in the Alexandria City Public Schools, please contact the Information and Outreach Department at 703- 824-6635 to locate your school. Then, make an appointment with the principal of your school to schedule a visit and a tour of the building.
Source: NVAR
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Arlington Public Schools
703-228-7660
The Arlington Public Schools serves the citizens of Arlington Virginia’s geographically smallest county, educating one of the nation’s most diverse and sophisticated student populations- 19,000 students from over 120 countries who speak more than 100 different languages.
The Arlington Public Schools operate more than 30 schools and programs and serve students with a range of programs designed to meet individual student needs. Several programs are unique to Northern Virginia. These include one of the nation’s most advanced electronic classroom installations, a Spanish-English partial immersion program at all grade levels, an International Baccalaureate Program , four countywide alternative schools offering many educational choices, and a Career Center for advanced vocational and technical training.
The Arlington School Board believes that the continuation of our democracy is dependent upon an educated and informed citizenry. The Board also believes that the schools should maximize the strengths and potential of all students so they may become self-confident, well-rounded, responsible and productive citizens.
The goal of the Arlington Public Schools is to teach all students a broad body of knowledge, effective communication skills, a rational system of thought, and use of their individual creativity. The education process in the Arlington Public Schools involves the cultivation of an inquiring mind, respect for learning, ethical behavior, an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, an appreciation of our national culture as well as other cultures and the concept that each individual has merit.
Academic standards are high in the Arlington Schools. Students consistently score well above state and national averages on standardized tests, including the SAT, which is taken by 82 percent of Arlington high school seniors as compared to 43 percent nationally. Each year a notable number of students are named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. The high school graduation rate is 93 percent. Last year, 88 percent of graduates went on to post-secondary education.
Arlington offers a wide variety of individualized education programs for all students, from the gifted to students with severe disabilities. Computers are used as teaching tools and information sources, and schools are beginning to be linked to the Internet through a range of resources, including the Global Schoolhouse project.
Registration
All Arlington children of appropriate age must be registered in school. Children who are 5 years or older by September 30th of the school year are eligible to register for Kindergarten. Children who are 3 years old by September 30th of the current school year may register for preschool. Children who are born in the United States and for whom English is a first language should register at the neighborhood schools. Children who have lived abroad or for whom English is a second language must register through the Intake Center.
School and Program Choices
Preschool to 12th grade
Arlington Public Schools offer a variety of programs and choices to students. For preschool age children (3-5), children may participate in the Montessori Program or may be eligible for the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Children may also be eligible to participate in the Arlington County Head Start Program.
Arlington Public Schools has twenty-one elementary schools- four County wide Alternative Schools, four Team Schools and thirteen neighborhood schools, five middle schools three high schools, the Career Center and a Countywide Secondary Alternative Program housed at H-B Woodlawn.
Source: NVAR
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Fairfax County Public Schools
(703) 876-5230
Student Registration
New student registration begins in early August. However, students may enroll at any time, and parents are urged to enroll their children as soon as possible after arrival in the area. General Information (Recording): 703-876-5219
Program of Studies
The required instructional program for Fairfax County Public Schools in defined in the Program of Studies, which contains: curriculum content and essential knowledge and skills for each grade level and course; approved instructional resources; assessment activities with the Virginia Standards of Learning. The Program of Studies overview and other academic programs may be reviewed at any school and at www.fcps.edu/academic.htm.
Technology
The use of computer technology by FCPS students, teachers, and administrators to communicate and access information continues to increase. All teachers and staff members have access to email. All class-rooms are wired for Internet access, and Internet content filtering. The number of network devices (computers, printers, etc.) has reached over 70,000. There is a new web-enabled library system for students and parents with many new online courses. Wireless laptop labs continue to be implemented in many schools. An overview of the fiscal year technology plan can be accessed online at www.fcps.edu/stpc.
Student Activities
The student activities program is an integral part of the total middle and high school educational programs. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) stress the importance of providing a well-balanced activities program to augment the learning activities of the classroom. At the middle school level, FCPS provides for extracurricular involvement in performing groups, student government, newspaper, yearbook, drama, and the literary magazine. At the high school level, FCPS offers a wealth of opportunities for student growth and enrichment through athletics, student government, performing groups, publication, honor societies, and special interest clubs.
Approximately 70 percent of the high school population participates in student activities and nearly 40 percent of all high school students participate in Virginia High School League athletic or academic activities.
Fees
Textbooks are provided free of charge to all students, as is access to computers. A fee, which is determined annually, is charged for the behind-the-wheel phase of driver education. Other fees may be charged for towel services, gym suits, musical instrument repair, loss of or damage to School Board property, transcripts of student records, enrichment materials, and extracurricular activities such as athletic events, plays, and field trips.
FCPS Facts
Individual students and groups annually earn honors and awards in all academic, extracurricular, and athletic areas in regional, state and national competitions. 89 percent of high school graduates continue on to some form of post-secondary education.
FCPS seniors who took the SAT in 2004 had an average combined score of 1135. This far exceeds the average combined scores in Virginia and the nation.
In the Washington’s Post’s annual Challenge Index (which measures a school’s effort to challenge students) all FCPS high schools were rated in the top five percent.
In 2003-04, 56 percent of FCPS students earned advanced diplomas.
Source: NVAR
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