Police, fire to run active violence drill Thursday at Minnie Howard campus
Not an actual emergency: no students will be present, but residents should expect emergency vehicles on West Braddock Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Education
Alexandria schools — the school board, ACPS policies and budget, private and parochial schools, and the students, teachers, and athletics shaping local education.
School board election reform committee holds first meeting Aug. 25
The panel was directed to start in July; it now has 11 weeks to produce a report
Two Alexandria PTAs named National PTA Schools of Excellence
Alexandria City High School PTSA and Cora Kelly School PTA are among 321 honorees nationwide, and 25 in Virginia, to earn the 2025-2027 designation.
Superintendent Kay-Wyatt is back at work part time
School Board Chair Christopher Harris said the superintendent has resumed a more active role as of Aug. 3 but has not returned full time, with Chief of Staff Dr. Grace Taylor still serving as the primary designee.
Samuel Tucker Elementary starts school today — weeks before the rest of Alexandria
The school's extended instructional calendar means 712 students begin the 2026-27 year this morning while the rest of ACPS waits until Aug. 24
ACPS urges families to register new students now ahead of the first day of school
A registration event is this Sunday, with office hours available every Monday through August 21
Back to school is weeks away. Alexandria health officials say now is the time to schedule that appointment
With the first day of school Aug. 24, the Alexandria Health Department is urging families to book physicals and vaccines before appointment slots fill up.
'It's my last job': ACHS gets a principal who says he's here to stay
At his first community meeting, Michael Burch laid out his priorities for Virginia's largest high school — and told The Alexandria Brief he plans to finish his career here.
Alexandria School Board elects Christopher Harris as chair for the coming year
The board unanimously chose Harris, its District C representative and outgoing vice chair, to lead during a year that includes a superintendent search and transition. Alexander Crider Scioscia was elected vice chair.
ACPS seeks donations to fill 3,500 backpacks before the school year starts
Drop-off runs through Aug. 10 at Alexandria City High School
Alexandria school board to elect chair, vice chair for new school year at Thursday's organizational meeting
Closed session will cover Harrison lawsuit, federal Title IX probe and collective bargaining
School Board chair addresses budget, unfinished CBA, superintendent transition
In written responses to The Alexandria Brief, Chair Dr. Michelle Rief confirmed the collective bargaining agreement has not been ratified, named the administrator now running the division and made the case that ACPS's budget pressures are structural. Her full responses appear below.
ECC principal Heidi Haggerty-Wagner among Virginia's inaugural Principals of Distinction
The state completed its first class of the recognition program this week. Alexandria's Early Childhood Center principal, named in the spring, is the division's lone honoree.
Superintendent Kay-Wyatt is on leave, school board chair says, citing 'a matter that arose unexpectedly'
In a message to families and staff, Board Chair Michelle Rief said board-approved designees will run the division and asked the community to respect Dr. Kay-Wyatt's privacy. ACPS did not specify the reason for the leave or its expected length.
City Council votes to create a joint committee on school board election reform
The ad hoc body will study staggered terms, board size and composition, with a report due November 10 — but the 6-1 vote exposed deep skepticism about whether any of it will move the needle for students
As Kay-Wyatt's final months begin, a look back at a consequential year for ACPS
The superintendent retires Oct. 1 after a year defined by the division's first collective bargaining process, a bruising budget fight, and a leadership transition still underway. The Alexandria Brief sent her office questions to reflect on it; ACPS later said the email never reached the division.