Middle School Athletics Floated For Alexandria Public Schools

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Middle school students would get the chance to join school-based athletic programs under a proposal presented to the Alexandria School Board Thursday.

James Parker, athletic director at ACPS, presented the proposal for several new athletic offerings for sixth to eighth graders at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Jefferson Houston Middle School, Patrick Henry K-8, and George Washington Middle School. Currently, ACPS does not offer school-based middle school athletics, leaving these students with mainly pay-to-play options.

Parker told the School Board that middle school athletics can give students an earlier opportunity than high school to develop skills in a sport to have more success later. He said the program would also provide more needed programs for youth and help with leadership skills, healthy habits, staying off the streets and being around positive role models.

"We'll be teaching self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision making," said Parker. "Being able to play a sport, meet new people and advance learn that whole process I think is going to help with the whole transition from middle school to high school and give them a place to be from a connection standpoint."

The proposal calls for girls basketball, boys basketball, cheer, girls soccer, boys soccer and tennis at all four schools. Football, volleyball, outdoor track, and swim and dive are also proposed for George Washington Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School.

Adding middle school athletics would mean future budget considerations for ACPS. A rollout of basketball, swim and dive, track and field, and a scholastic bowl activity in the 2024-2025 school year would cost $371,897. A 2025-2026 rollout of soccer, football, cheer and a forensics activity would cost $504,992. A 2026-2027 rollout of tennis, volleyball and a debate activity would cost $467,455.

"We will be looking at rolling out 10 different sports over a three-year period, three different student activities impacting about 1,000 students and 150 coaches," said Parker.

The athletic director noted factors like costs, staffing, equipment, insurance, transportation and equipment storage would need to be considered. Coaching and activity director opportunities would be given to existing school teachers, who would receive a coaching stipend.

Parker has been in touch with Arlington and Prince William County's public schools to potentially schedule middle school games with them. Neighboring Fairfax County has also introduced track and field and cross country at middle schools this school year.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said the addition of middle school athletics would be part of the ACPS budget process. She noted ACPS is dealing with "budget constraints" that will limit programming.

"Once we get into budget discussions further with our team, we will bring back those recommendations," said Kay-Wyatt.