Arlington Public Schools Seeks Feedback On 2023-24 Calendar Options

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington Public Schools is seeking feedback from the community on three options for the county school system’s 2023-24 school year calendar.

This is the second year that Arlington Public Schools has started the school year calendar survey process in October. The school district said opening the next school year’s calendar for comment 10 months ahead allows ample time for students, staff and families to plan for the next school year.

The survey, which opened on Oct. 18, will be available to complete until Nov. 8.

The Arlington School Board plans to take action on the school superintendent’s proposed 2023-24 school year calendar at its meeting on Dec. 15.

For the 2023-24 school year, there are three calendar options for the community to review. Each of the three calendar options has a start date before Labor Day. One of the calendars has a school start date on Aug. 21, 2023, which is one week earlier than the start of the 2022-23 school year, while the other two options start one week before Labor Day on Aug. 28, 2023.

Another difference between the three calendar options is one of the options maintains a two-week winter break, while the other two have a 10-day winter break. Option one is the only calendar proposal that has a start date and winter break that align with neighboring school divisions.

Visit the site set up by Arlington Public Schools to complete the 2023-24 school year calendar survey.

The calendar options were developed based on the initial feedback provided by the APS calendar committee, which began meeting in September.

Arlington Public Schools said that selecting option one, which means school would start with 10 days left in August, would help teachers and staff. Fifty-two percent of staff live outside of Arlington. As a result, being out of alignment with neighboring school divisions means staff who have school-aged children are more likely to miss work due to those schedules, Arlington Public Schools said.

The survey does not allow the school community to pick which religious holidays should be on the school calendar.

"APS is committed to an inclusive learning experience for all students and embraces the recognition of our diverse students and staff," the school district said. "As a result, we will continue to recognize the various religious holidays that are included on the school year calendar."