A message from Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley:
As Alexandria City Public Schools starts the 2016-17 school year, I want to welcome all our staff back to school.
ACPS is a very special place. Our schools are the heart of Alexandria. They are a rich and diverse collection of communities that come together to make up one school division. We pride ourselves on our diversity and celebrate the fact that, with students from more than 80 different countries speaking more than 60 languages, we are one of the most diverse school districts in the United States.
Our schools are places where communities gather before, during and after school. They are places where new friendships are made, many of which will last a lifetime. Our schools are also places where students can feel safe and cared for, and where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
ACPS continues to demonstrate steady increases in student achievement through a relentless focus on becoming a high performing school division. High performing schools are characterized by a clear focus; expectations for all students; a strong instructional program; collaboration and communication; alignment with state standards; frequent monitoring; ongoing staff training; and a supportive learning environment.
These characteristics are well-aligned in the ACPS 2020 Strategic Plan and the ACPS mission of ensuring that every student succeeds through six bold goals: Academic Excellence and Educational Equity; Family and Community Engagement; Exemplary Staff; Facilities and Learning Environments; Health and Wellness; and Effective and Efficient Operations. These goals are supported by department and school education plans that are focused on ensuring the success of all students, and that there are strong systems of accountability and interventions in place through our multi-tiered systems of support.
There are several key initiatives in action to strengthen our supports to students and staff. We are forward thinking in technology, with the expansion of Chromebooks for students in grades four through twelve. The school division is undergoing a comprehensive curriculum evaluation, with Phase I results expected in September. There are planned evaluations of our Talented and Gifted and Special Education services. This information will help us to implement a rich, rigorous and engaging instructional program that meets the needs of all students. We are also moving forward with the continued implementation of restorative practices and cultural competency initiatives to promote equitable practices within and across schools.
ACPS benefits from the strong support of our City Council, the business community, community partners, community organizations, faith-based institutions and non-profit organizations. We also benefit from connected parent teacher associations and booster clubs that together create a strong network of support for our students, programs and infrastructure. We look forward to nurturing and deepening these relationships even more through the opening of our new Office of School, Community and Business Partnerships.
I encourage you to be a champion for our school division. I am proud to be your Superintendent of Schools and look forward to another exciting school year filled with opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and staff.
Alvin L. Crawley
Superintendent