Community Corner

🌱 Which Alexandria schools earned top marks in Virginia’s new ratings?

Coming up: Shops of Del Ray's Holiday Sip & Shop on the Alexandria Patch calendar

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
Thursday December 11th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Alexandria! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Alexandria schools earned top marks in Virginia’s new ratings?
  • How will ARHA’s shaky budget and inspections affect Alexandria tenants?
  • How rising job losses are pushing more Alexandrians into tax payment plans

Also on today's calendar: Shops of Del Ray's Holiday Sip & Shop and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Elliott L.!

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 40 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and cold, temps: high: 39, low: 30.
  • Saturday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 44 and low of 29 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Alexandria City Public Schools Shares 2025-26 New Virginia Accountability System Results (alexandrialivingmagazine.com) — Alexandria City Public Schools has released its first results under Virginia’s new accountability system, with Lyles-Crouch rated Distinguished and three schools, including Alexandria City High School, marked On Track after notable improvement. Division leaders say all previously flagged schools met their student-group targets, and outline intensive monitoring, coaching, and instructional supports aimed at boosting SOL performance and reducing absenteeism this year.
   

2. Alexandria's public housing authority struggles with budget uncertainty (alxnow.com) — Alexandria’s public housing authority is racing to finish a new budget after the recent federal shutdown disrupted its main HUD funding and access to federal experts. With ARHA restructuring, a partially vacant board, and 38,000 people on its waiting list, leaders are leaning on historical data while tenants raise concerns about conditions like mold and the timing of promised inspections.
   

3. More Alexandria residents seek tax assistance amid ‘sluggish' economy (alxnow.com) — Alexandria residents are increasingly turning to city tax payment plans and assistance programs as local unemployment rises and federal layoffs strain household budgets. City Manager Jim Parajon warned City Council that SNAP eligibility changes, stalled development projects, and federal funding uncertainty could prolong this “sluggish” economy for years, prompting departments to prepare 1% budget cuts.
   

4. Man Who Ubered To CIA HQ Charged With Trespassing (patch.com) — A man who flew from Puerto Rico and Ubered to CIA headquarters in McLean was arrested after insisting on entering the secured campus, and his case is now in federal court in Alexandria. He’s been assigned a Spanish interpreter and public defender, with a status hearing set for January 22, 2026, underscoring Alexandria’s central role in handling high-profile regional security cases.
   

5. Gov.-elect Spanberger taps Alexandria Sheriff for transition committee (alxnow.com) — Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey has been appointed to Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s transition committee on public safety and homeland security, giving the city a direct voice in statewide policy recommendations. Casey, a lifelong Alexandria resident recently reelected without opposition, will help craft criminal justice and corrections proposals while continuing to navigate local debates over his office’s relationship with federal immigration authorities.
   

📸 Around Alexandria

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📸 Pond in Potomac Yard Park —Elliott L. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Alexandria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Wednesday December 10
  • A Christmas Carol
    Little Theatre of Alexandria , 600 Wolfe St , Alexandria
    8:00 pm
    • Friday December 12
  • A Very Merry ALX Jazz Fest
    The George Washington Masonic National Memorial , 101 Callahan Dr , Alexandria
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Frosty Fun Workshop on December 20th!
    Mount Vernon Community School , 2601 Commonwealth Ave , Alexandria
    8:30 am
    • Monday December 22
  • The Holiday Project
    Cherrydale Health & Rehabilitation Center , 3710 Langston Blvd. , Arlington
    10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Alexandria PatchAM possible:

  • Essen Alexandria — (571) 630-3977
    Essen Apartments Offers 2 Months Free in Alexandria, VA

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
    FOUND on December 9, 2025 in Alexandria, VA 22304 near Near Holmes Run Parkway, Alexandria VA Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor Vantage)
  • FOUND KITTY – Do you recognize this kitty?
    Grayish/brown tabby with amber eyes. Very sweet. Seen hanging outside of Holmes Run Pkwy, Alexandria, VA for about a month or so. It does NOT seem… (Nextdoor Park Pavilion)
  • Weichert, Realtors posted a job opening for Real Estate Agent in Alexandria. Apply here.
  • Cava posted a job opening for Team Member in Alexandria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alexandria here.

Ok Alexandria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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