Alexandria Education

Supporting Music in Alexandria Schools

Award-winning violinist helps Alexandria Public Schools play its biggest concert.

Every elementary, middle, and high school in Alexandria, 18 schools in total, came together on Janu. 7 for the biggest concert in the school system’s history: 370 students, 200 of them from local elementary schools, 170 from middle and high schools, participated in Electrify Your Strings (EYS).

Alexandria Civil Rights Pioneer Ferdinand Day Dies

The force behind the philosophy of “Every Student Counts.”

When Ferdinand Day was born in 1918, Virginia had just passed its first compulsory school attendance law for children ages 8-12. But with legalized segregation, funding for the education of African American students was sorely limited, with only four black public high schools in the entire state. It would take decades before one existed in Alexandria.

Alexandria Budget Looms Over 2015 Plans

Alexandria city officials discuss goals and funding for 2015.

For Alexandria City Council, 2015 kicks off with a continuing discussion of the budget and the city’s priorities. With an anticipated decrease in federal spending, city officials are preparing for a difficult budget process.

Working toward English Literacy in Alexandria

Campagna Center program helps immigrants.

"Good morning ladies." Marcia D'Arcangelo stands in the large central room greeting teachers and students as they walk by, headed for their English classes. She is director of the New Neighbor ELL program in Alexandria funded by the Campagna Center. "We have nine different levels here. We recently added a new entry level of literacy when we discovered some people didn't know the basics of the English language, like the alphabet," D'Arcangelo said.

Alexandria Commentary: Improving Academic Achievement

Academic achievement is not accidental but rather the result of a sustained focus on rigor, relevance, engagement and coherence. At its best, academic achievement reflects a relentless determination to reach and teach all students.

St. Mary’s School in Alexandria Hosts Christmas Bazaar

St. Mary’s School held its annual Christmas Bazaar at the school on Green Street on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Six-Billion Reasons To Persevere in Alexandria

Mentoring

“Can you read me the answer you came up with?” “Six-million …” “Wait … look again.” “Oh yeah! Six-billion…” “Did you ever think you would be able to do a math problem that would have an answer in the billions?”

Glory Days in Alexandria

ASC celebrates Old Oaken Bucket rivalry.

From George Washington High School’s opening in 1935 until 1968, Thanksgiving mornings were synonymous with the pinnacle matchup of Virginia high school football. Residents and visitors braved plummeting temperatures and postponed culinary preparations to attend the grand spectacle of talent and grit known as the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry between GW and Arlington’s Washington-Lee High School.

TC Hosts Holiday Craft Show in Alexandria

Girls from the TC varsity softball team greeted shoppers to the annual school craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 22. More than 40 artists and craftsmen set up booths in the school cafeteria offering a selection of home and gift ideas.

Education on Wheels

Mobile classroom brings tutoring to students.

When Chris Sexton noticed her 10-year-old son was having educational difficulties, she searched for ways to help him. She found a solution in what she calls a “magic school bus.” The bus driver, and teacher, was Anne Thomas of Alexandria.

Alexandria: Preparing for Next School Budget

Alexandria Public Schools staff meet with local community to discuss the future of the budget

At a public forum on the Alexandria City Public Schools’ (ACPS) Budget, parents and local citizens split into groups and were asked what programs were needed for the children.