Impact: Language classes would need to be added to middle schools to create continuity for schools that are not language-focused. The new high school is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment high school. becomes an International Baccalaureate (IB) Program School that concentrates on world languages and the arts. Option B: Build a second high school T.C.Option A: Build a second high school either Alexandria City High School or the new high school could focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics the other could focus on Humanities.The EDT developed four concepts: two that could be applied to two distinct high schools and another two that could be applied to Alexandria City High School if expanded into a Connected High School Network. To read more see the draft report (PDF) issued on August 22, 2019, and updated September 19, 2019. A team of ACPS staff, real estate and architectural professionals researched land options in Alexandria for a second high school or an expansion of Alexandria City High School into a Connected High School Network.An Education Design Team (EDT) made up of teachers, staff and students identified courses of study - educational programming - that could be made available in two high schools or at an expanded Alexandria City High School.the sites to be pursued based on the selected model.įrom July 2018 to January 2019, we developed the core values and vision for the High School Project.one high school model (Connected High School Network) or two high school model and.The decision put to a vote was whether to support a: On September 26, 2019, the School Board voted in support of the Connected High School Network and chose to expand Alexandria City High School with a building on the Minnie Howard Site instead of building a second high school. For detailed information about how these numbers are derived and future expectations beyond ten years please see Appendix D (PDF) of the Long Range Educational Facilities Plan. Before anything is built we will review all our calculations and will continue to review and adjust them as the project progresses. ACPS and the City of Alexandria began in 2013 and continue to work collaboratively on refining the enrollment projection methodology to account for changes in the City of Alexandria and trends being experienced in the schools. How confident is ACPS in the estimate of 5,000 students?ĪCPS is confident that Alexandria City High School will reach an enrollment of 5,000 students within the next 5-10 years given existing enrollments of cohorts coming up to the high school grades as well as anticipated growth or attrition in the City. Subtracting 3,400 from 5,000 leaves 1,600 students who will need space. The current capacity of Alexandria City High School – King Street campus is 2,900 students and the building will remain in use in all options.Īlexandria City High School Satellite campus will remain with a capacity of 100 students in all options.Īn early college program at NOVA is proposed for a total capacity of 400 students. The ACPSGrade Level Report (PDF) commissioned by the School Board in 2016 recommended against the split model that ACPS uses with 9th graders taking most of their classes at the separate Minnie Howard campus.ĪCPS estimates it needs additional space for 1,600 students. No, ACPS will be completely integrating 9th graders with 10th-12th graders. Will 9th graders continue to be taught separately? Between what we build new and what we already have, we need to accommodate this capacity and consider flexibility in the future for any fluctuations in enrollment. The ACPS high school population is projected to grow by 1,000 students over the next five to ten years to total 5,000 students. How many students are expected to attend high school in five to ten years? Our objective has been to decide how we are going to solve the capacity issue while also deciding how we will provide our students with 21st-century knowledge and skills in 2024-2025. The goal of The High School Project has been to expand both learning spaces and learning opportunities for all high school students.
We need to expand capacity and build for a near future where we are educating up to 5,000 high school students and preparing them for college or the workforce.