ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 1 of 3
1
Arlington Public Schools admission and placement policies seek to distribute students evenly 2
among our schools and provide stability in individual school enrollments while meeting the 3
educational needs of Arlington’s diverse student population. Arlington Public Schools provides 4
admissions and residency requirements for a system of neighborhood and option schools as well 5
as countywide programs. 6
Every student is assigned to a neighborhood school on the basis of the student’s place of residence. 7
Students may apply to transfer to another neighborhood school or apply for admission to 8
countywide programs or option schools. Application and transfer forms are available online or at 9
the Welcome Center. Application and transfer policies and general procedures are described in 10
School Board Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers. 11
12
The Arlington Public Schools carries out a sustained, vigorous, inclusive, and culturally 13
appropriate program to communicate clearly the attributes of all its schools and programs, 14
including preschool, to assist families and students in making informed decisions. Arlington 15
Public Schools provides a range of learning opportunities to respond to the interests and needs of 16
all students through: 17
1. A blend of neighborhood and option schools/programs. 18
2. Equitable access for all students. 19
20
Preschool goals are defined in School Board Policy I-1.34 Early Childhood Preschool Programs. 21
22
This blend is provided to the extent possible given financial constraints and capacity limits. 23
Information about preschool, neighborhood and option schools/programs, along with application 24
processes, periods, and deadlines are widely communicated and published each year in a timely 25
manner. 26
27
This policy is a living document with principles that guides decisions. It should be reviewed 28
updated a minimum of every three years to support the needs of all students and to reflect changes 29
or growth in Arlington Public Schools. 30
31
Neighborhood Schools 32
Neighborhood schools have attendance areas established by the School Board. Every student is 33
guaranteed admission to the elementary, middle, and high school serving the attendance area in 34
which the student resides. 35
36
Option Schools/Programs 37
Option schools/programs provide specialized instructional programs. Arlington Public Schools: 38
1. pProvides equitable access to option schools/programs for all students including students 39
with disabilities and English learners; and. 40
2. pProvides a rational and transparent process for admission to option schools/programs, 41
which is differentiated to support the integrity of the instructional models; and. 42
3. oOffers preschool at each of the elementary option schools/programs; and. 43
4. aAdjusts enrollment levels at the option schools/programs as needed. 44
45
Transfer To A Neighborhood School That Is Accepting Transfers 46
Commented [SM1]: Removed to reduce confusion with
the Admissions policy.
Commented [SM2]: Applications are only available
online
Commented [SM3]: From Admissions and Placements
Commented [SM4]: No lon
g
er necessar
y
Commented [SM5]: Added to align policy with intent.
Commented [SM6]: Reviews may not require an update.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 2 of 3
Neighborhood schools accept transfers to the extent possible given financial constraints and 47
capacity limits. 48
49
Admissions 50
Students may apply for: 51
1. Admission to option schools/programs or 52
2. A transfer to a neighborhood school that is accepting transfers, based on the 53
Superintendent’s annual update to the School Board. 54
Commented [SM7]: Removed as it is redundant
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 3 of 3
55
A. Application 56
At the start of each school year Arlington Public Schools publicizes the due date and the 57
procedures for applying to an option school/program or a neighborhood school that is 58
accepting transfers. Parents/guardians submit applications to Arlington Public Schools. If the 59
number of applicants exceeds the available seats, Arlington Public Schools will: 60
1. Conduct a random double-blind lottery to determine admission for the available seats. 61
2. Maintain a waitlist. 62
63
B. Keeping Families Together 64
Arlington Public Schools will keep siblings together to the extent possible given eligibility 65
requirements, financial constraints and capacity limits. 66
1. Siblings are children who have at least one parent/guardian in common, and the 67
parent/guardian has full or shared custody. Twins/multiples are siblings who are 68
concurrently enrolled in the same grade. 69
2. Twins/multiples, although admitted as two, will be treated as one in all applications 70
for option schools/programs. 71
Siblings who will be concurrently enrolled at the same elementary school will receive 72
priority in admission. 73
3. 74
75
C. Advancement in Grade LevelProgram Continuity 76
Once a student is admitted to an option school/program or accepts a transfer to a neighborhood 77
school that is accepting transfers, enrollment will be continuous through the grade levels of 78
that school/program, unless the school is involved in a boundary change. In such cases, the 79
Board may make a different decision as part of the boundary change adoption. 80
81
Transportation 82
For students who are 4 years old or older and live outside of their school’s walk zone as defined 83
by Arlington Public Schools Transportation Policy (School Board Policy E-5.1 Transportation): 84
1. Arlington Public Schools provides transportation to the student’s neighborhood 85
school or option school/program. 86
2. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation when the student accepts a 87
transfer to another neighborhood school that is accepting transfers, unless otherwise 88
directed by the School Board as part of another decision. 89
90
Reporting to the School Board 91
Each fall, the Superintendent will update the School Board on enrollment levels at each 92
school/program and any related transportation issues and will make recommendations to achieve the 93
goals stated in this policy. As a result of the annual update, the School Board may need to make 94
adjustments to the policy and Arlington Public Schools may need to make adjustments to the 95
implementation procedures. 96
97
Commented [SM8]: Due dates are not necessarily
p
ublished at the start of the school year.
Commented [SM9]: Adds clarity that each sibling must
individually meet eligibility requirements for programs such
as Arlington Tech and IB.
Commented [SM10]: Moved down
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 4 of 3
98
AppealsExtenuating Circumstances 99
Families with extenuating circumstances may request a school placement at a school other than 100
their neighborhood school. Decisions made under this policy may be appealed to the 101
Superintendent or his/her designee. Upon appeal, the Superintendent or his/her designee may grant 102
administrative transfers. The appeal Requests for an administrative placement shall be submitted 103
and evaluated according to Policy J-5.3.32 Administrative Placements. in writing, or by visiting 104
the office of the Superintendent/designee and working with staff to complete an appeal. The 105
Superintendent/designee will provide a written, clear and timely response to the appeal that is 106
consistent with the policy. If families are dissatisfied with the response from the 107
Superintendent/designee they may appeal in writing to the School Board for consideration. 108
109
Once a student is approved for an administrative placement transfer through the appeal process, 110
enrollment will be continuous through the grade levels of that school/program, unless there is cause 111
to discontinue. 112
113
Reporting to the School Board 114
Each fall, the Superintendent will update the School Board on enrollment levels at each 115
school/program and any related transportation issues and will make recommendations to achieve 116
the goals stated in this policy. As a result of the annual update, the School Board may need to make 117
adjustments to the policy and Arlington Public Schools may need to make adjustments to the 118
implementation procedures. 119
120
This policy is a living document with principles that guide decisions. It should be reviewed a 121
minimum of every three years to support the needs of all students and to reflect changes or growth 122
in Arlington Public Schools. 123
124
References 125
None 126
School Board Policy I-1.34 Early Childhood Preschool Programs 127
School Board Policy J-5.3.32 Administrative Placements 128
129
Policy Adoption and Revision History 130
Adopted June 1, 2017 131
Renumbered (former Policy 25-2.2) effective July 1, 2018 132
Commented [SM11]: Revised to be consistent with the
new policy structure.
Commented [SM12]: Moved to Administrative Transfers
Commented [SM13]: Moved to Administrative Transfers
Commented [SM14]: Reviews may not require an update.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 1 of 3
1
Arlington Public Schools admission and placement policies seek to distribute students evenly 2
among our schools and provide stability in individual school enrollments while meeting the 3
educational needs of Arlington’s diverse student population. Arlington Public Schools provides 4
admissions and residency requirements for a system of neighborhood and option schools as well 5
as countywide programs. 6
Every student is assigned to a neighborhood school on the basis of the student’s place of residence. 7
Students may apply to transfer to another neighborhood school or apply for admission to 8
countywide programs or option schools. Application and transfer forms are available online. 9
Application and transfer policies and general procedures are described in School Board Policy J-10
5.3.31 Options and Transfers. 11
12
Arlington Public Schools carries out a sustained, vigorous, inclusive, and culturally appropriate 13
program to communicate clearly the attributes of all its schools and programs, including 14
preschool, to assist families and students in making informed decisions. Arlington Public Schools 15
provides a range of learning opportunities to respond to the interests and needs of all students 16
through: 17
1. A blend of neighborhood and option schools/programs. 18
2. Equitable access for all students. 19
20
Preschool goals are defined in School Board Policy I-1.34 Early Childhood Preschool Programs. 21
22
This blend is provided to the extent possible given financial constraints and capacity limits. 23
Information about preschool, neighborhood and option schools/programs, along with application 24
processes, periods, and deadlines are widely communicated and published each year in a timely 25
manner. 26
27
28
Neighborhood Schools 29
Neighborhood schools have attendance areas established by the School Board. Every student is 30
guaranteed admission to the elementary, middle, and high school serving the attendance area in 31
which the student resides. 32
33
Option Schools/Programs 34
Option schools/programs provide specialized instructional programs. Arlington Public Schools: 35
1. provides equitable access to option schools/programs for all students including students 36
with disabilities and English learners; and 37
2. provides a rational and transparent process for admission to option schools/programs, 38
which is differentiated to support the integrity of the instructional models; and 39
3. offers preschool at each of the elementary option schools/programs; and 40
4. adjusts enrollment levels at the option schools/programs as needed. 41
42
Transfer To A Neighborhood School That Is Accepting Transfers 43
Neighborhood schools accept transfers to the extent possible given financial constraints and 44
capacity limits. 45
46
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 2 of 3
47
Application 48
Arlington Public Schools publicizes the due date and the procedures for applying to an option 49
school/program or a neighborhood school that is accepting transfers. Parents/guardians submit 50
applications to Arlington Public Schools. If the number of applicants exceeds the available 51
seats, Arlington Public Schools will: 52
Conduct a random double-blind lottery to determine admission for the available seats. 53
Maintain a waitlist. 54
55
Keeping Families Together 56
Arlington Public Schools will keep siblings together to the extent possible given eligibility 57
requirements, financial constraints and capacity limits. 58
Siblings are children who have at least one parent/guardian in common, and the 59
parent/guardian has full or shared custody. Twins/multiples are siblings who are 60
concurrently enrolled in the same grade. 61
Twins/multiples, although admitted as two, will be treated as one in all applications 62
for option schools/programs. 63
Siblings who will be concurrently enrolled at the same elementary school will receive 64
priority in admission. 65
66
Program Continuity 67
Once a student is admitted to an option school/program or accepts a transfer to a neighborhood 68
school that is accepting transfers, enrollment will be continuous through the grade levels of 69
that school/program, unless the school is involved in a boundary change. In such cases, the 70
Board may make a different decision as part of the boundary change adoption. 71
72
Transportation 73
For students who are 4 years old or older and live outside of their school’s walk zone as defined 74
by Arlington Public Schools Transportation Policy (School Board Policy E-5.1 Transportation): 75
Arlington Public Schools provides transportation to the student’s neighborhood 76
school or option school/program. 77
Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation when the student accepts a 78
transfer to another neighborhood school that is accepting transfers, unless otherwise 79
directed by the School Board as part of another decision. 80
81
82
Extenuating Circumstances 83
Families with extenuating circumstances may request a school placement at a school other than 84
their neighborhood school. Requests for an administrative placement shall be submitted and 85
evaluated according to Policy J-5.3.32 Administrative Placements. 86
87
88
Reporting to the School Board 89
Each fall, the Superintendent will update the School Board on enrollment levels at each 90
school/program and any related transportation issues and will make recommendations to achieve 91
the goals stated in this policy. As a result of the annual update, the School Board may need to make 92
adjustments to the policy and Arlington Public Schools may need to make adjustments to the 93
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy J-5.3.31 Options and Transfers
Page 3 of 3
implementation procedures. 94
95
This policy is a living document with principles that guide decisions. It should be reviewed a 96
minimum of every three years to support the needs of all students and to reflect changes or growth 97
in Arlington Public Schools. 98
99
References 100
101
School Board Policy I-1.34 Early Childhood Preschool Programs 102
School Board Policy J-5.3.32 Administrative Placements 103
Policy Adoption and Revision History 104
Adopted June 1, 2017 105
Renumbered (former Policy 25-2.2) effective July 1, 2018 106
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 1 of 10
1
2
Information about, and the application for, option schools/programs and neighborhood transfers is 3
provided on the Arlington Public Schools website in the most frequently spoken languages on the 4
Options and Transfers webpage. accordance with Policy I-7.2.3.30 – Communications and Policy 5
Implementation Procedure I-7.2.3.30 PIP-1 Communication - Language Access Services. 6
Use the application when applying for the following in a specific school year: 7
1. Admission to an option school/program; or 8
2. A transfer to a neighborhood school that is accepting transfers. 9
10
Availability of Seats in Option Programs/Schools and Neighborhood Transfers 11
The number of seats at secondary option schools and programs will be announced concurrently with 12
Middle School and High School Information Nights. The number of seats at elementary schools and
13
programs will be announced concurrently with Kingergarten Information Night.
14
15
For all neighborhood transfers, the Superintendent’s Annual Update to the School Board in January 16
will identify the number of seats available during the following school year for: 17
1. Kindergarten classrooms at elementary option schools/programs, and 18
2. Neighborhood schools that can accept transfers. 19
20
Transfers to Neighborhood Schools 21
Neighborhood school transfers are available to the extent possible given capacity limits and financial 22
constraints. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation when the student accepts a transfer to 23
another neighborhood school that is accepting transfers, unless otherwise directed by the School 24
Board as part of another decision. 25
26
Transfers to neighborhood schools follow the procedures defined by the “Application and 27
Admissions Process” section below. The neighborhood transfer waitlist will be maintained through 28
May 1 of the current school year. The Superintendent or his/her designee must approve all exceptions 29
after the deadline. 30
31
High school students granted such an exception may not be eligible to participate in activities 32
governed by the Virginia High School League for the remainder of that school year. 33
34
Admissions to Option Schools/Programs 35
The following tables identify all APS option schools or programs, and each requires an application 36
for a specified school year as defined in the “Application and Admissions Process” section below. 37
Transportation is provided to eligible students attending option schools/programs/schools.
38
39
40
41
Commented [SM1]: Removedatthesuggestionofthe
Board.
Commented [SM2]: Revisedforsustainability.The
requiredlanguagesmaychangeanditwouldbewastefulto
reviseallPoliciesandPIPsintheeventtheydochange.The
SettlementAgreementsayswemusthaveaplanto
translatedocuments.Thesedocumentsareonthelisttobe
translated.
Commented [SM3]: Themonthmayvary.
Commented [SM4]: Optionschoolswaitlistsdon’tendon
May1.
Commented [SM5]: MergedintotheExtenuating
CircumstancesprocessaddressedattheendofthePIP.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 2 of 10
42
Elementary Options
Option School/
Program
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
Arlington
Traditional
Countywide
Traditional and structured.
No prerequisites
Campbell Countywide
Project-based learning (Expeditionary
Learning Education) and an outdoor
learning program.
No prerequisites
Montessori
Public School
of Arlington
Countywide
Follows Maria Montessori’s philosophy,
in which children engage in learning
activities of their own choosing in a
multi-age, well-ordered physical
environment.
No prerequisites
Immersion
Claremont and
Key
Area
Two-way Spanish Immersion Program
includes half-day content instruction in
each English and Spanish in developing
communication skills of listening,
speaking, etc.
Students applying for
grades 2-5 must
demonstrate the Spanish
language skills needed for
entry into the program.
43
Secondary Options
Option School/
Programs
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
H-B Woodlawn
Secondary
Program
(grades 6-12)
Countywide
The central focus is student choice.
Students make choices in three
general areas: use of time and
personal behavior, educational goals
and school governance.
No prerequisites
Arlington Tech
at the Career
Center
(grades 9-12)
Countywide
Project-based learning high school
program that prepares students to
succeed in college and workplace
through collaborative problem
solving.
Completion of Algebra I and
Geometry with one verified math
credit before entry in the 10
th
grade.
Applicants for Grade 9: Algebra 1 or
higher by the end of Grade 8
(verified).
Applicants without the
prerequisite courses completed will
be included but must enroll in an
integrated Algebra I/Geometry
course in Grade 9 and earn a verified
credit in Algebra I.
Applicants for Grade 10:
Algebra I
and Geometry credit earned and at
least one passing score on the
associated SOL tests for those
courses.
Immersion at
Gunston Middle
School and
Wakefield High
School
Countywide
Continuation of the elementary
Two-way Spanish Immersion
Programs..
All students who have completed an
APS Immersion Program will
automatically be admitted to the
Immersion Program at the next
level. Students new to APS and/or
to Immersion MUST demonstrate
Commented [SM6]: Addedtothedescriptionasthereis
noPrerequisitecolumnforElementaryandtheother
program
Commented [HH7]: Adjustedtomirrorthelanguagethat
willbeusedintheProgramofStudiesforschoolyear2020‐
21.
Commented [SM8]: Addedtoimproveclarityaround
currentpratice
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 3 of 10
Secondar
y
O
p
tions
Option School/
Programs
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
the Spanish language skills needed
for entry into the program.
AP Network
at Wakefield
High School
Countywide
AP courses joined with academic
and counseling support .
All Wakefield students are eligible
for the AP Network without
application. C’s or higher in all core
classes in 8th grade is required for
students seeking transfer from
another school.
44
Commented [SM9]: Addedtoprovideclarityaround
practice.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 4 of 10
Secondar
y
O
p
tions
Option School/
Programs
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
International
Baccalaureate at
Washington-
Liberty High
School
Countywide
The IB program comprises a
holistic philosophy of learning that
seeks to address the intellectual,
philosophical, and social
development of the student.
A’s and B’s in all subjects
Algebra I or greater in 8th grade or
Geometry or greater in 9th grade
Spanish II, French II, Chinese II or
Latin II in 8th grade, OR Spanish
III, French III, Chinese III or Latin
III in 9th grade
Short answer/essay question
Montessori at
Gunston Middle
School
Countywide
Follows Maria Montessori’s
philosophy, in which children
engage in learning activities of
their own choosing in a multi-age,
well-ordered physical
environment.
All Montessori students who have
completed the elementary grades at
the Montessori Public School of
Arlington will be admitted. Students
new to Montessori will need to meet
Montessori experience requirements
for acceptance into the middle
school program.
Thomas
Jefferson High
School for
Science &
Technolog
y
Countywide
The Governor’s Regional School
offers a comprehensive college
preparatory program emphasizing
the sciences, technology,
engineering, and mathematics., and
technology.
Requirements and application found
at
www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-
jefferson-admissions
45
46
Application and Admissions Process 47
48
Application Process 49
To help families make informed decisions, the parents/guardians of the applicant are encouraged,
50
but not required, to visit the options and transfers webpage to learn more about the instructional
51
program. If a family’s schedules permits it, families all are encouraged to visit their neighborhood
52
school, and the schools or programs to which they are applying. Schools/programs offer scheduled
53
informational meetings; schedules can be found on the Options and Transfers webpage and on the 54
school or program’s webpage. 55
56
For all applications for admission to an option school/program or transfers to a neighborhood school 57
that is accepting transfers: 58
1. Submit An online application must be submitted to the Welcome Center, which is responsible
59
for managing and processing all applications, lotteries, notifications and waitlists. 60
2. Submit by school level on the following daysSubmission due dates are as follows:
61
— Secondary – by 4 p.m. on the third Friday in January. 62
— Elementary – by 4 p.m. on April 15. (Note: If April 15 falls on a weekend or school holiday, 63
the deadline is extended to the next instructional day for students) 64
65
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 5 of 10
For the purposes of this Ppolicy Iimplementation Pprocedure, a student is officially enrolled once they 66
begin to attend the school. 67
68
69
70
Lotteries 71
When the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, the Welcome Center will 72
conduct site-specific a random, double-blind lotteriesy to determine admission for all options and 73
transfer seats across all grades. 74
75
Elementary Lotteries 76
Except for Montessori, the entry point for most elementary option programs is Kindergarten. Seats in 77
other grades only become available as other students leave the program. 78
1. All families who want their child to attend an option school or program must submit an 79
application during the application timeframe to the lottery for that school. 80
2. Virginia Preschool Initiative
(VPI) students attending an option school will be guaranteed a 81
kindergarten seat at that school. Families must still submit an application to that school.
82
3. Siblings (children who have at least one parent/guardian in common, and the parent/guardian 83
has full or shared custody) of enrolled students who will be concurrently attending the school 84
will receive priority in the lottery process; however, admission is not guaranteed. 85
4. Seats are provided to the extent possible given capacity limits and financial constraints.86
87
Elementary Immersion Lotteries 88
Applicants are separated into two (2) pools: one for Spanish-language speakers and one for non-89
Spanish language speakers based on information provided by parents/guardians on the application. 90
This lottery is designed to support a balance of English- and Spanish-language speakers in the
91
program. 92
93
Elementary Montessori Lottery 94
The order of preference is detailed below. 95
1. Seats are first allocated to students currently enrolled in the Primary Montessori program at
96
the Montessori Public School of Arlington.
97
2. Preference is then given to siblings of concurrently-enrolled students 98
3. Students completing the APS satellite Montessori programs are then given preference as there 99
is not space to accommodate all primary Montessori students during the time of entry as three-100
year-olds. Therefore, students participating in the satellite programs are provided the 101
opportunity to continue in the APS Montessori program once current Montessori Public 102
School of Arlington students and siblings have been placed. 103
4. Preference is then given to all other current and non-APS primary and lower elementary 104
Montessori applicants. 105
106
Underage Placement for Option Schools/Programs 107
A student who has been accepted into an option school or program that which conducts a lottery for
108
admission, and who also qualifies for consideration through the underage placement policy, will be 109
Commented [SM10]: Addedtoprovideclarityaroundthe
process
Commented [HH11]: Applicationsarenotsubmittedto
thelotterybecausealotteryonlyoccursintheeventmore
applicationsarereceivedthanseats.
Commented [SM12]: Fromthepolicy,addedtoprovide
convenienceforfamilies.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 6 of 10
guaranteed a kindergarten position at that school. If the student is in kindergarten and is approved for 110
underage placement, they will be placed at the bottom of the Grade 1 waiting list at that option school.
111
Kindergarten students who are approved for underage placement are guaranteed a Grade 1 seat in 112
their neighborhood school. 113
114
115
116
Secondary School Lotteries 117
For option programs with prerequisites, an admissions committee will determine if the applicant is 118
eligible. All eligible applicants will be included in the lottery. 119
120
All lotteries will be conducted in the same manner, with some exceptions as defined below. 121
122
H-B Woodlawn 123
Middle School 124
Middle School aApplicants to Grade 6 will be separated into different lottery pools based on the APS 125
elementary school they attended are attending in grade 5. An additional pool will be created for students
126
who are not currently enrolled in APS when applying for admission to the program. Waitlists will be 127
maintained by pool for one school year. When a seat becomes available because a student who enrolled 128
in H-B Woodlawn through a given lottery pool leaves the program, it will be filled by the next student 129
on the same pool waitlist. [For example, if a student who attended Ashlawn in grade 5 and entered H-B 130
Woodlawn as a member of the Ashlawn lottery pool leaves H-B Woolawn, the available slot will be
131
given to the next student on the Ashlawn pool waitlist.] Waitlists will not carry over from one school
132
year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the student applied.
133
Applicants must reapply through the lottery process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school
134
year.
135
136
The total number of seats available will be allocated proportionately based on the following criteria: 137
1. Each elementary school will get a proportion of the available seats based on Grade 5 138
enrollment on September 30 of the school year when the lottery is being conducted. 139
2. A proportion of seats will also be reserved for students who are not enrolled in APS when 140
applying for admission to the program. For this group, the proportion will be based on the 141
number of students who are not currently enrolled in APS who applied for admission the 142
previous year. 143
144
This program does not typically offer many seats in Grades 7 and 8. While Grade 6 applicants are
145
divided into different pools based on the school they attended in grade 5, When a seat becomes 146
available, it will be filled by the next student on the waitlist. The waitlist will be maintained for that 147
school year only from the lottery cohort by elementary school that was used in Grade 5 or by students 148
who are not currently enrolled in APS. Cohort waitlists are maintained for one school year only. 149
Aapplicants for grades 7 and 8 are placed in a universal, countywide waitlist by grade. When a seat 150
becomes available, it will be filled by the next student on the waitlist for that grade. Waitlists will not 151
carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the school year for
152
which the student applied. Applicants must reapply through the lottery process to be placed on the
153
waitlist for the next school year.
154
155
Commented [SM13]: Revisedastheprocessisdifferent
fromGrade6applicantsthanitisforGrades7‐8
Commented [SM14]: Addedfortransparency
Commented [SM15]: Rewordedtoprovideclarity
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 7 of 10
New students and APS students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during the school 156
year must re-apply each year for the program(s) or school(s) that interest them. Waitlists will not carry 157
over from one school year to another, and will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the 158
student applied. each school year. New waitlists will be developed each year based on an annual 159
lottery. 160
161
High School 162
Applicants to Grade 9 will be separated into different lottery pools based on the APS middle school 163
they are attending in grade 8. An additional pool will be created for students who are not currently 164
enrolled in APS when applying for admission to the program. Waitlists will be maintained by pool for 165
one school year. When a seat becomes available because a student who enrolled in H-B Woodlawn 166
through a given lottery pool leaves the program, it will be filled by the next student on the same pool 167
waitlist. [For example, if a student who attended Jefferson in grade 8 and entered H-B Woodlawn as a 168
member of the Jefferson lottery pool leaves H-B Woolawn, the available slot will be given to the next 169
student on the Jefferson pool waitlist.] When a seat becomes available, it will be filled by the next student 170
on the pool waitlist. Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved 171
at the end of the school year for which the student applied. Applicants must reapply through the lottery 172
process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school year 173
High School applicants will be separated into different lottery pools based on the APS middle school 174
they attended in Grade 8. An additional pool will be created for students who are not currently enrolled 175
in APS when applying for admission to the program. 176
177
The total number of available seats will be allocated proportionately based on the following criteria: 178
1. Each middle school will get a proportion of the available seats based on Grade 8 enrollment 179
on September 30 of the school year when the lottery is being conducted. 180
2. A proportion of seats will also be reserved for students who are not enrolled in APS when 181
applying for admission to the program. For this group, the proportion will be based on the 182
number of students who were are not currently enrolled in APS who applied for admission
183
the previous year. 184
185
This program does not typically offer many seats in Grades 10-12. Applicants for grades 10-12 are 186
placed in a universal waitlist by grade. When a seat becomes available, it will be filled by the next 187
student on the waitlist for that grade. Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and 188
will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the student applied. Applicants must reapply 189
through the lottery process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school year The program does not 190
typically offer many seats in Grades 10, 11 or 12. When a seat becomes available, it will be filled by 191
the next student on the waitlist. The waitlist will be maintained for that school year only from the lottery 192
cohort by middle school that was used in Grade 8 or by students who are not currently enrolled in APS 193
when applying for admission to the program. Cohort waitlists are maintained for one school year only. 194
Applicants for grades 10, 11 7 and 12 8 are placed in a universal waitlist. Add same language as added 195
in middle school above 196
197
198
199
New students and APS students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during the school 200
year must re-apply each year for the program(s) or school(s) that interest them. Waitlists will not carry 201
Commented [SM16]: Movedwaitlistlanguagetothe
waitlistsectionbelow
Commented [SM17]: Addedfortransparency
Commented [SM18]: Rewordedtoimproveclarity
Commented [SM19]: Rewordedtoimproveclarity
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 8 of 10
over from one school year to another, and will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the 202
student applied.each school year. 203
204
Notification of Admission to Option Schools/Programs and Neighborhood Transfers 205
When filling out applications, families will select their preferred method of communication between 206
email and text messages. The default will be set to U.S. mail and email. 207
208
Using the preferred method of contact, the Welcome Center will notify families of the status of 209
admission to an option school/programs and programs or transfer to a neighborhood school. 210
211
Notifications via U.S. mail require additional processing time and will be sent after the email 212
notification. 213
214
Acceptance of Admission to an Options School/Program or Neighborhood Transfer 215
Parents/guardians must accept or decline an offer to a school or program by the given deadline. 216
If a response is not received by the deadline, the seat will be given to the next student who is on the 217
waitlist for the specified school year. 218
219
If a student gets into more than one option school/program, parents/guardians must select a school or 220
program by the given deadline. Once a school or program is selected, the student is removed from all 221
other waitlists. If families do not get their first choice, they can decline the seat offered at an option
222
school/program and remain on the waitlist for their first first-choice program or school during that
223
school year only. If the student is not accepted off the waitlist and remains interested in attending that 224
program or school, then the student is required to submit a new application the following school year. 225
226
Waitlists for Option Schools/Programs and Neighborhood Transfers
227
The waitlist will be used to determine the order for admitting students not initially admitted through 228
the lottery. If the requested school/program has a waitlist, each application submitted after the stated 229
admission deadlines will be placed at the end of the waiting list, in the order received.
230
231
The waitlist for:
232
1. Ssecondary neighborhood transfers is are closed annually on May 1 to accommodate staffing 233
and academic scheduling. Request for special consideration may be made after May 1 to the Office 234
of Administrative Services for an administrative placement transfer.Option seats are continuously 235
filled throughout the school year as seats become available. 236
237
Waitlists do not carry over from one school year to the next. Currently enrolledAPS and new APS 238
students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during the school year must re-apply 239
each year for the school(s) or program(s) or school(s) that interest them. 240
241
Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the
242
school year for which the student applied. Applicants must reapply through the lottery process to be
243
placed on the waitlist for the next school year.
244
New waitlists will be developed each year based on an annual lottery.
245
New students and APS students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during
246
Commented [SM20]: Movedtothewaitlistsection
Commented [HH21]: TheWelcomeCenternolonger
mailsoutletters.
Commented [SM22]: Struckasthiswouldapplyto
Elementarytransfersif/whenthoseariseagain(possiblein
2021)
Commented [SM23]: Removedasthisiscoveredunder
theExtenuatingCircumstancessection
Commented [SM24]: Replacedwithrevisedlanguage
below.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 9 of 10
the school year must re-apply each year for the program(s) or school(s) that interest them. 247
248
Registration (Elementary School only including Preschool) 249
Parents/guardians residing in Arlington who accept an offer of a seat at an option school/program or 250
for a neighborhood transfer must register the admitted student by the given deadline. 251
Parents/guardians of students who speak a language other than English and have accepted an offer 252
of a seat at an option school/program or for a neighborhood transfer, should make an appointment at 253
the Welcome Center by the given deadline. Parents/guardians who are relocating to Arlington but 254
are not yet Arlington residents and have accepted an offer of a seat at an option school/program or 255
for a neighborhood transfer, should make an appointment at the Welcome Center or school by the 256
given deadline. 257
258
If the student is not registered or a registration appointment is not made by the deadline, the seat 259
will be offered to the next student on the waitlist. 260
261
262
Continued Enrollment 263
Once a student is enrolled in an option school or program or accepts a transfer to a neighborhood 264
school, enrollment will be continuous through the grade level of that school/program unless there is a 265
boundary change. In such cases, the School Board may make a different decision as part of the
266
boundary change adoption. 267
Students who are admitted to an option school or program must: 268
1. eEnroll in the required option program’s courses,
269
2. mMeet the option program’s requirements, or
270
3. rReturn to their neighborhood school.
271
If they are interested in staying at the school while not enrolled in the option program, they can follow 272
the procedures for applying for a neighborhood transfer to continue enrollment at thate school, outside
273
of the program if the school is available for neighborhood transfers.
274
275
Extenuating Circumstances 276
Families with extenuating circumstances may request a school placement at a school other than 277
their neighborhood school. Administrative Placements are evaluated according to Policy J-5.3.32 278
Administrative Placements. 279
280
281
282
283
284
References 285
Policy I-7.2.3.30 – Communications
286
Policy Implementation Procedure I-1.34 PIP-1 Underage Grade One Placement 287
Commented [SM25]: Addedtoprovidetransparency
aroundtheprocess.Settingadeadlineforregistrationswill
helptoensureseatsarefilled.
Commented [SM26]: Addedtoprovidebreadcrumbsfor
familiestotheAdministrativePlacementsprocess.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 10 of 10
Policy Implementation Procedure I-7.2.3.30 PIP-1 Communication - Language Access Services 288
289
Policy Implementation Procedure Adoption and Revision History 290
Adopted November 9, 2018, Effective November 9, 2018 291
Revised October 28, 2019, Effective October 28, 2019 292
Revised X, 2020, Effective X, 2020
293
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 1 of 8
1
2
Information about option schools/programs and neighborhood transfers is provided on the Arlington 3
Public Schools website in accordance with Policy I-7.2.3.30 – Communications and Policy 4
Implementation Procedure I-7.2.3.30 PIP-1 Communication - Language Access Services. 5
Use the application when applying for the following in a specific school year: 6
1. Admission to an option school/program; or 7
2. A transfer to a neighborhood school that is accepting transfers. 8
9
Availability of Seats in Option Programs/Schools and Neighborhood Transfers 10
The number of seats at secondary option schools and programs will be announced concurrently with 11
Middle School and High School Information Nights. The number of seats at elementary schools and 12
programs will be announced concurrently with Kingergarten Information Night. 13
14
For all neighborhood transfers, the Superintendent’s Annual Update to the School Board will identify 15
the number of seats available during the following school year for: 16
1. Kindergarten classrooms at elementary option schools/programs, and 17
2. Neighborhood schools that can accept transfers. 18
19
Transfers to Neighborhood Schools 20
Neighborhood school transfers are available to the extent possible given capacity limits and financial 21
constraints. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation when the student accepts a transfer to 22
another neighborhood school that is accepting transfers, unless otherwise directed by the School 23
Board as part of another decision. 24
25
Transfers to neighborhood schools follow the procedures defined by the “Application and 26
Admissions Process” section below. The neighborhood transfer waitlist will be maintained through 27
May 1 of the current school year. 28
29
High school students granted such an exception may not be eligible to participate in activities 30
governed by the Virginia High School League for the remainder of that school year. 31
32
Admissions to Option Schools/Programs 33
The following tables identify all APS option schools or programs, and each requires an application 34
for a specified school year as defined in the “Application and Admissions Process” section below. 35
Transportation is provided to eligible students attending option schools/programs. 36
37
38
39
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 2 of 8
40
Elementary Options
Option School/
Program
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
Arlington
Traditional
Countywide
Traditional and structured.
No prerequisites
Campbell Countywide
Project-based learning (Expeditionary
Learning Education) and an outdoor
learning program.
No prerequisites
Montessori
Public School
of Arlington
Countywide
Follows Maria Montessori’s philosophy,
in which children engage in learning
activities of their own choosing in a
multi-age, well-ordered physical
environment.
No prerequisites
Immersion
Claremont and
Key
Area
Two-way Spanish Immersion Program
includes half-day content instruction in
each English and Spanish in developing
communication skills of listening,
speaking, etc.
Students applying for
grades 2-5 must
demonstrate the Spanish
language skills needed for
entry into the program.
41
Secondary Options
Option School/
Programs
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
H-B Woodlawn
Secondary
Program
(grades 6-12)
Countywide
The central focus is student choice.
Students make choices in three
general areas: use of time and
personal behavior, educational goals
and school
g
overnance.
No prerequisites
Arlington Tech
at the Career
Center
(grades 9-12)
Countywide
Project-based learning high school
program that prepares students to
succeed in college and workplace
through collaborative problem
solvin
g
.
Completion of Algebra I and
Geometry with one verified math
credit before entry in the 10
th
grade.
Immersion at
Gunston Middle
School and
Wakefield High
School
Countywide
Continuation of the elementary
Two-way Spanish Immersion
Programs..
All students who have completed an
APS Immersion Program will
automatically be admitted to the
Immersion Program at the next
level. Students new to APS and/or
to Immersion MUST demonstrate
the Spanish language skills needed
for entr
y
into the pro
g
ra
m
.
AP Network
at Wakefield
High School
Countywide
AP courses joined with academic
and counseling support.
All Wakefield students are eligible
for the AP Network without
application. C’s or higher in all core
classes in 8th grade is required for
students seeking transfer from
another school.
42
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 3 of 8
Secondary Options
Option School/
Programs
Type Specialized Instructional
Programs
Prerequisites,
Other Notes
International
Baccalaureate at
Washington-
Liberty High
School
Countywide
The IB program comprises a
holistic philosophy of learning that
seeks to address the intellectual,
philosophical, and social
development of the student.
A’s and B’s in all subjects
Algebra I or greater in 8th grade or
Geometry or greater in 9th grade
Spanish II, French II, Chinese II or
Latin II in 8th grade, OR Spanish
III, French III, Chinese III or Latin
III in 9th grade
Short answer/essay question
Montessori at
Gunston Middle
School
Countywide
Follows Maria Montessori’s
philosophy, in which children
engage in learning activities of
their own choosing in a multi-age,
well-ordered physical
environment.
All students who have completed
the elementary grades at the
Montessori Public School of
Arlington will be admitted. Students
new to Montessori will need to meet
Montessori experience requirements
for acceptance into the middle
school pro
g
ram.
Thomas
Jefferson High
School for
Science &
Technolo
gy
Countywide
The Governor’s Regional School
offers a comprehensive college
preparatory program emphasizing
the sciences, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
Requirements and application found
at
www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-
jefferson-admissions
43
44
Application and Admissions Process 45
46
Application Process 47
To help families make informed decisions, the parents/guardians of the applicant are encouraged, 48
but not required, to visit the options and transfers webpage to learn more about the instructional 49
program. If a family’s schedule permits it, families are encouraged to visit their neighborhood school 50
and the schools or programs to which they are applying. Schools/programs offer scheduled 51
informational meetings; schedules can be found on the Options and Transfers webpage and on the 52
school or program’s webpage. 53
54
For all applications for admission to an option school/program or transfers to a neighborhood school 55
that is accepting transfers: 56
1. An online application must be submitted to the Welcome Center, which is responsible for 57
managing and processing all applications, lotteries, notifications and waitlists. 58
2. Submission due dates are as follows: 59
— Secondary – by 4 p.m. on the third Friday in January. 60
— Elementary – by 4 p.m. on April 15. (Note: If April 15 falls on a weekend or school holiday, 61
the deadline is extended to the next instructional day for students) 62
63
For the purposes of this Policy Implementation Procedure, a student is officially enrolled once they 64
begin to attend the school. 65
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 4 of 8
66
Lotteries 67
When the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, the Welcome Center will 68
conduct site-specific random, double-blind lotteries to determine admission for all options and 69
transfer seats across all grades. 70
71
Elementary Lotteries 72
Except for Montessori, the entry point for most elementary option programs is Kindergarten. Seats in 73
other grades only become available as other students leave the program. 74
1. All families who want their child to attend an option school or program must submit an 75
application during the application timeframe for that school. 76
2. Virginia Preschool Initiative(VPI) students attending an option school will be guaranteed a 77
kindergarten seat at that school. Families must still submit an application to that school. 78
3. Siblings (children who have at least one parent/guardian in common, and the parent/guardian 79
has full or shared custody) of enrolled students who will be concurrently attending the school 80
will receive priority in the lottery process; however, admission is not guaranteed. 81
4. Seats are provided to the extent possible given capacity limits and financial constraints.82
83
Elementary Immersion Lotteries 84
Applicants are separated into two (2) pools: one for Spanish-language speakers and one for non-85
Spanish language speakers based on information provided by parents/guardians on the application. 86
This lottery is designed to support a balance of English- and Spanish-language speakers in the 87
program. 88
89
Elementary Montessori Lottery 90
The order of preference is detailed below. 91
1. Seats are first allocated to students currently enrolled in the Primary Montessori program at 92
the Montessori Public School of Arlington. 93
2. Preference is then given to siblings of concurrently-enrolled students 94
3. Students completing the APS satellite Montessori programs are then given preference as there 95
is not space to accommodate all primary Montessori students during the time of entry as three-96
year-olds. Therefore, students participating in the satellite programs are provided the 97
opportunity to continue in the APS Montessori program once current Montessori Public 98
School of Arlington students and siblings have been placed. 99
4. Preference is then given to all other current and non-APS primary and lower elementary 100
Montessori applicants. 101
102
Underage Placement for Option Schools/Programs 103
A student who has been accepted into an option school or program that conducts a lottery for 104
admission, and who also qualifies for consideration through the underage placement policy, will be 105
guaranteed a kindergarten position at that school. If the student is in kindergarten and is approved for 106
underage placement, they will be placed at the bottom of the Grade 1 waitlist at that option school. 107
Kindergarten students who are approved for underage placement are guaranteed a Grade 1 seat in 108
their neighborhood school. 109
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 5 of 8
110
Secondary School Lotteries 111
For option programs with prerequisites, an admissions committee will determine if the applicant is 112
eligible. All eligible applicants will be included in the lottery. 113
114
All lotteries will be conducted in the same manner, with some exceptions as defined below. 115
116
H-B Woodlawn 117
Middle School 118
Applicants to Grade 6 will be separated into different lottery pools based on the APS elementary 119
school they are attending in grade 5. An additional pool will be created for students who are not 120
currently enrolled in APS when applying for admission to the program. Waitlists will be maintained by 121
pool for one school year. When a seat becomes available because a student who enrolled in H-B 122
Woodlawn through a given lottery pool leaves the program, it will be filled by the next student on the 123
same pool waitlist. [For example, if a student who attended Ashlawn in grade 5 and entered H-B 124
Woodlawn as a member of the Ashlawn lottery pool leaves H-B Woolawn, the available slot will be 125
given to the next student on the Ashlawn pool waitlist.] Waitlists will not carry over from one school 126
year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the student applied. 127
Applicants must reapply through the lottery process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school 128
year. 129
130
The total number of seats available will be allocated proportionately based on the following criteria: 131
1. Each elementary school will get a proportion of the available seats based on Grade 5 132
enrollment on September 30 of the school year when the lottery is being conducted. 133
2. A proportion of seats will also be reserved for students who are not enrolled in APS when 134
applying for admission to the program. For this group, the proportion will be based on the 135
number of students who are not currently enrolled in APS who applied for admission the 136
previous year. 137
138
This program does not typically offer many seats in Grades 7 and 8. While Grade 6 applicants are 139
divided into different pools based on the school they attended in grade 5, applicants for grades 7 and 8 140
are placed in a universal, countywide waitlist by grade. When a seat becomes available, it will be filled 141
by the next student on the waitlist for that grade. Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to 142
another and will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the student applied. Applicants 143
must reapply through the lottery process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school year. 144
145
High School 146
Applicants to Grade 9 will be separated into different lottery pools based on the APS middle school 147
they are attending in grade 8. An additional pool will be created for students who are not currently 148
enrolled in APS when applying for admission to the program. Waitlists will be maintained by pool for 149
one school year. When a seat becomes available because a student who enrolled in H-B Woodlawn 150
through a given lottery pool leaves the program, it will be filled by the next student on the same pool 151
waitlist. [For example, if a student who attended Jefferson in grade 8 and entered H-B Woodlawn as a 152
member of the Jefferson lottery pool leaves H-B Woolawn, the available slot will be given to the next 153
student on the Jefferson pool waitlist.] When a seat becomes available, it will be filled by the next student 154
on the pool waitlist. Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved 155
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 6 of 8
at the end of the school year for which the student applied. Applicants must reapply through the lottery 156
process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school year 157
158
The total number of available seats will be allocated proportionately based on the following criteria: 159
1. Each middle school will get a proportion of the available seats based on Grade 8 enrollment 160
on September 30 of the school year when the lottery is being conducted. 161
2. A proportion of seats will also be reserved for students who are not enrolled in APS when 162
applying for admission to the program. For this group, the proportion will be based on the 163
number of students who were not currently enrolled in APS who applied for admission the 164
previous year. 165
166
This program does not typically offer many seats in Grades 10-12. Applicants for grades 10-12 are 167
placed in a universal waitlist by grade. When a seat becomes available, it will be filled by the next 168
student on the waitlist for that grade. Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and 169
will be dissolved at the end of the school year for which the student applied. Applicants must reapply 170
through the lottery process to be placed on the waitlist for the next school year 171
172
Notification of Admission to Option Schools/Programs and Neighborhood Transfers 173
When filling out applications, families will select their preferred method of communication between 174
email and text messages. The default will be set to email. 175
176
Using the preferred method of contact, the Welcome Center will notify families of the status of 177
admission to an option school/program or transfer to a neighborhood school. 178
179
Acceptance of Admission to an Options School/Program or Neighborhood Transfer 180
Parents/guardians must accept or decline an offer to a school or program by the given deadline. 181
If a response is not received by the deadline, the seat will be given to the next student who is on the 182
waitlist for the specified school year. 183
184
If a student gets into more than one option school/program, parents/guardians must select a school or 185
program by the given deadline. Once a school or program is selected, the student is removed from all 186
other waitlists. If families do not get their first choice, they can decline the seat offered at an option 187
school/program and remain on the waitlist for their first-choice program or school during that school 188
year only. If the student is not accepted off the waitlist and remains interested in attending that 189
program or school, then the student is required to submit a new application the following school year. 190
191
Waitlists 192
The waitlist will be used to determine the order for admitting students not initially admitted through 193
the lottery. If the requested school/program has a waitlist, each application submitted after the stated 194
admission deadlines will be placed at the end of the waitlist, in the order received. 195
196
The waitlist for neighborhood transfers is closed annually on May 1 to accommodate staffing and 197
academic scheduling. Option seats are continuously filled throughout the school year as seats 198
become available. 199
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 7 of 8
Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the 200
school year for which the student applied. Applicants must reapply through the lottery process to be 201
placed on the waitlist for the next school year. 202
New waitlists will be developed each year based on an annual lottery. 203
New students and APS students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during 204
the school year must re-apply each year for the program(s) or school(s) that interest them. 205
206
Registration (Elementary School only including Preschool) 207
Parents/guardians residing in Arlington who accept an offer of a seat at an option school/program or 208
for a neighborhood transfer must register the admitted student by the given deadline. 209
Parents/guardians of students who speak a language other than English and have accepted an offer 210
of a seat at an option school/program or for a neighborhood transfer, should make an appointment at 211
the Welcome Center by the given deadline. Parents/guardians who are relocating to Arlington but 212
are not yet Arlington residents and have accepted an offer of a seat at an option school/program or 213
for a neighborhood transfer, should make an appointment at the Welcome Center or school by the 214
given deadline. 215
216
If the student is not registered or a registration appointment is not made by the deadline, the seat 217
will be offered to the next student on the waitlist. 218
219
Continued Enrollment 220
Once a student is enrolled in an option school or program or accepts a transfer to a neighborhood 221
school, enrollment will be continuous through the grade level of that school/program unless there is a 222
boundary change. In such cases, the School Board may make a different decision as part of the 223
boundary change adoption. 224
Students who are admitted to an option school or program must: 225
1. Enroll in the required option program’s courses, 226
2. Meet the option program’s requirements, or 227
3. Return to their neighborhood school. 228
If they are interested in staying at the school while not enrolled in the option program, they can follow 229
the procedures for applying for a neighborhood transfer to continue enrollment at that school, outside 230
of the program if the school is available for neighborhood transfers. 231
232
Extenuating Circumstances 233
Families with extenuating circumstances may request a school placement at a school other than 234
their neighborhood school. Administrative Placements are evaluated according to Policy J-5.3.32 235
Administrative Placements. 236
237
238
References 239
Policy I-7.2.3.30 – Communications 240
Policy Implementation Procedure I-1.34 PIP-1 Underage Grade One Placement 241
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedure J-5.3.31 PIP-1
Options and Transfers-Elementary and Secondary
Page 8 of 8
Policy Implementation Procedure I-7.2.3.30 PIP-1 Communication - Language Access Services 242
243
Policy Implementation Procedure Adoption and Revision History 244
Adopted November 9, 2018, Effective November 9, 2018 245
Revised October 28, 2019, Effective October 28, 2019 246
Revised X, 2020, Effective X, 2020 247
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
1
1
PRESCHOOL OPTIONS 2
3
Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) 4
The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) is a high qualityhigh-quality program for four-year-old 5
children. VPI is supported by a grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia. To qualify for the 6
program, the child must be an Arlington County resident, be four years old on or before September 7
30 of the attending school year and meet income requirements set by the Commonwealth of Virginia. 8
Admission preference is based on income and other risk factors. Seats will also be reserved for 9
children who meet the following criteria: 10
1. Child meets guidelines as a “student experiencing homelessness”, or 11
2. Child’s parents or guardians have not graduated from high school, or 12
3. Family income is above 200% but below 350% of federal poverty guidelines in the case 13
of students with disabilities, o0r 14
4. Locally established criteria (including but not limited to children in single family homes, 15
foster care, military deployment) 16
17
There is no fee to attend the Virginia Preschool Initiative class. 18
19
20
Primary Montessori 21
APS provides Montessori classes for three, four, and five-year-old students. To qualify for the 22
program, the child must be an Arlington County resident, and be three, four or five years old on or 23
before September 30 of the attending school year. Instruction is delivered through an 24
interdisciplinary, multi-age approach to learning and is based on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. 25
26
Two-thirds of the positions in each Montessori class are reserved for children whose 27
parents’/guardians’ income is at or less than 80% of the median income in Arlington County 28
(published annually). Tuition shall will be charged on a sliding scale for all enrolled students 29
during the 3-year-old year. During the four-year-old year, parents/guardians of four-year-old 30
children whose income is at or less than 80% of the median income in Arlington County pay no 31
fee. All students in the Montessori classroom who are five years old on or before September 30 do 32
not pay a fee as it is the student’s kindergarten year in public school. 33
34
Preference for openings that may occur for five-year-olds is given to students with previous 35
Montessori experience. 36
37
Students who attend the Primary Montessori program at the countywide site (DREW) will have the 38
option of attending Montessori through fifth grade without having to reapply. Families will 39
complete an intent-to-return form at the school. 40
41
All other students must attend their neighborhood school or submit an application to an option 42
orschool transfer school for Kindergarten/first grade or first grade Montessori. 43
Sibling preference will be given to families already enrolled in one of the APS Primary Montessori 44
programs into the countywide Montessori Program. 45
Commented [SM1]: Thetrackchangesarefromthe
remnantleftoverfromthe2015revision.Theydonot
reflectchangesfromcurrentpolicyorPIP.Becausethere
havebeenalargenumberofchanges,eachchangeisnot
commentedinthisdocument.Also,manypeoplehave
revisedthedocumentsothetrack‐changesisinmultiple
colors.Thistrack‐changeversionshouldbeforinformation
onlyasmostofthecontentisnew.
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
2
Community Peer Program 46
APS provides preschool programs for identified students with and without disabilities, aged two and 47
a half years to four years old at several elementary schools to create inclusive environments for all 48
learners. The number of seats for students without disabilities will be determined annually based on 49
existing enrollment and building capacity. 50
51
Priority enrollment will be given to neighborhood students, students whose families income falls at 52
or below 200% of the poverty level and children of APS employees provided they are Arlington 53
residents. 54
55
Tuition for the Community Peer Program classes is on a sliding scale. found in the Appendix to this 56
Policy Implementation Procedure. There is no charge for preschool classes for four-year-olds whose 57
parents' income falls at or below 80% of the median income in Arlington County. 58
59
60
61
62
PRESCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS 63
Preschool applications will be accepted beginning February 1 and continuing through April 15 64
prior to the beginning of the school year for which the application is being made. Applications for 65
the VPI and the Primary Montessori programs are available inthemostfrequentlyspoken66
languages, at elementary schools, on the Early Childhood webpage at www.apsva.us/school‐67
options/pre‐kindergarten‐choices/ and through the central registration office. 68
69
70
To apply to a the program, parents/guardians must submit an online application using the 71
application portal to the central registration officeWelcome Center, which is responsible for 72
managing and processing all applications, lotteries, notifications and waitlists. 73
74
Lottery 75
If there are more applications than spaces available, a random double-blind lotterriesy will be held. 76
Lotteries are by site and by age/grade-level served by the program at the site. 77
78
79
VPI Lotteries 80
Arlington Public Schools reserves VPI seats for students according the four provisions in the VPI 81
section of this document. The remaining seats are distributed through a lottery. This lottery will Will 82
be conducted by preference based on income. We will hold four lotteries based on need for each 83
program. Need is defined as the family income compared to the federal poverty level. 100% need 84
(family income is at or below the federal poverty level) has first prioritfirst priorityy, 130% need 85
(family income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level) second prioritynext priority, 200% 86
need (family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) last priority. next and 350% 87
last. 88
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
3
89
90
Primary Montessori Lotteries 91
This lottery will Will separate applicants into two pools with two-thirds of the slots seats identified 92
for whose parents’ or guardians’ whose income is at or less than 80% of the median income in 93
Arlington County and one-third of the slots available for all other applicants. 94
95
Preference is then given to siblings of concurrently-enrolled students at the Montessori site for 96
which the student is applying. 97
98
99
100
Community Peer Program (CPP) Lotteries 101
This lottery will be conducted by the following preferences: 102
103
1.Sstudents zoned for the neighborhood where the CPP is located, 104
2.Ffamily income at or below 200% of the poverty level, and 105
3.Cchildren of APS employees provided they are Arlington residents. 106
107
108
109
Waitlists 110
As a result of this lottery, waiting lists will be created. 111
The waitlist will be used to determine the order for admitting students not initially admitted through 112
the lottery. If the requested school/program has a waitlist, each application submitted after the stated 113
admission deadlines will be placed at the end of the appropriate waiting list, in the order received. 114
115
As space becomes available, admission will be offered to students on the waiting list in the order 116
established by the lottery. Additional applications that are received after the application period will 117
be added, in the order received, at the end of the appropriate wait list. The three-year-old wait list 118
rolls over to become the four-year-old wait list the following year. 119
Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the 120
school year for which the student applied. 121
New waitlists will be developed each year based on an annual lottery. 122
New students and APS students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during 123
the school year must re-apply each year for the program(s) or school(s) that interest them.124
125
Registration 126
Familiesacceptedthroughthelotteryintopreschoolprogramsmustregisterbythegivendeadline.(iIf127
comingfromoverseasormovingtoArlingtonlaterinthesummerfamiliesshouldcontacttheWelcome128
Centerforanappointmentbythegivendeadline).129
130
Familiescomingoffthewaitlistshouldcompleteregistrationwithinaweekofacceptingtheseatorcontact131
theWelcomeCenterforanappointmentifrelocatingafterthegivendeadline.132
133
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
4
If the student is not registered or a registration appointment is not made by the deadline, the seat 134
will be offered to the next student on the waitlist. 135
136
137
138
139
PRESCHOOL LOCATIONS 140
VPI is offered at every APS elementary option school. Preschool is also offered at neighborhood 141
elementary schools to the extent possible, given financial constraints and capacity limits. 142
143
Four-year-old students in VPI option schools are guaranteed admission to that school’s K-5 144
program. However, all All families interested in staying at the option schools must submit an 145
application through the application portal during the application window of February 1through April 146
15 to secure their Kindergarten seat. 147
148
All other Preschool (or non-VPI?) VPI students attending a program outside of their neighborhood 149
school must return to their attend their neighborhood school or submit an application apply 150
to attend another (neighborhood or option?) school through the application process for elementary 151
option schools/programs or neighborhood transfers if available.. 152
153
Students attending the Primary Montessori program at the countywide site (Montessori Public 154
School of Arlington) will have the option to stay through fifth grade without having to reapply. 155
Families will complete an intent-to-return form at the school. 156
157
Students attending the Satellite Primary Montessori locations will have the option to stay through 158
Kindergarten and then apply to the county wide Montessori program for grade 1 or return to their 159
neighborhood school. Families also have the option to return to their neighborhood school for 160
Kindergarten or submit an application to an option school or to a neighborhood school that is 161
accepting transfers. 162
163
In the Superintendent’s annual update to the School Board, APS will identify preschool locations 164
for the following school year. 165
(seeabove)
TRANSPORTATION 166
167
Transportation will be provided to preschool Preschool 168
students (4 years old) attending option schools and/or 169
attending their neighborhood school. Transportation will 170
also be provided to three-year-old students attending the 171
countywide Montessori school. Transportation will also 172
be provided at the countywide VPI site. 173
174
175
References
176
177
PolicyI‐1.34EarlyChildhoodPrograms
178
PolicyJ‐5.3.30Admissions
179
PolicyJ‐53.31OptionsandTransfers
180
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
1
1
PRESCHOOL OPTIONS 2
3
Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) 4
The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) is a high-quality program for four-year-old children. VPI is 5
supported by a grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia. To qualify for the program, the child must 6
be an Arlington County resident, be four years old on or before September 30 of the attending school 7
year and meet income requirements set by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Admission preference is 8
based on income and other risk fac Seats will also be reserved for children who meet the following 9
criteria: 10
1. Child meets guidelines as a “student experiencing homelessness”, or 11
2. Child’s parents or guardians have not graduated from high school, or 12
3. Family income is above 200% but below 350% of federal poverty guidelines in the case 13
of students with disabilities, or 14
4. Locally established criteria (including but not limited to children in single family homes, 15
foster care, military deployment) 16
17
There is no fee to attend the Virginia Preschool Initiative class. 18
19
Primary Montessori 20
APS provides Montessori classes for three, four, and five-year-old students. To qualify for the 21
program, the child must be an Arlington County resident, and be three, four or five years old on or 22
before September 30 of the attending school year. Instruction is delivered through an 23
interdisciplinary, multi-age approach to learning and is based on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. 24
25
Two-thirds of the positions in each Montessori class are reserved for children whose 26
parents’/guardians’ income is at or less than 80% of the median income in Arlington County 27
(published annually). Tuition will be charged on a sliding scale for all enrolled students during 28
the 3-year-old year. During the four-year-old year, parents/guardians of four-year-old children 29
whose income is at or less than 80% of the median income in Arlington County pay no fee. All 30
students in the Montessori classroom who are five years old on or before September 30 do not pay 31
a fee as it is the student’s kindergarten year in public school 32
33
Preference for openings that may occur for five-year-olds is given to students with previous 34
Montessori experience. 35
36
Community Peer Program
37
APS provides preschool programs for identified students with and without disabilities, aged two and 38
a half years to four years old at several elementary schools to create inclusive environments for all 39
learners. The number of seats for students without disabilities will be determined annually based on 40
existing enrollment and building capacity. 41
42
Tuition for the Community Peer Program classes is on a sliding scale. There is no charge for preschool 43
classes for four-year-olds whose parents' income falls at or below 80% of the median income in 44
Arlington County. 45
46
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
2
47
PRESCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS 48
Preschool applications will be accepted beginning February 1 and continuing through April 15 49
prior to the beginning of the school year for which the application is being made. at elementary 50
schools, on the Early Childhood webpage at www.apsva.us/school‐options/pre‐kindergarten‐51
choices/. 52
53
54
To apply to a program, parents/guardians must submit an online application using the application 55
portal to the Welcome Center, which is responsible for managing and processing all applications, 56
lotteries, notifications and waitlists. 57
58
Lottery 59
If there are more applications than spaces available, random double-blind lotterries will be held. 60
Lotteries are by site and by age/grade-level served by the program at the site. 61
62
63
VPI Lotteries 64
Arlington Public Schools reserves VPI seats for students according the four provisions in the VPI 65
section of this document. The remaining seats are distributed through a lottery. This lottery will be 66
conducted by preference based on income. We will hold lotteries based on need for each program. 67
Need is defined as the family income compared to the federal poverty level. 100% need (family 68
income is at or below the federal poverty level) has first priority, 130% need (family income is at or 69
below 130% of the federal poverty level) next priority, 200% need (family income is at or below 70
200% of the federal poverty level) last priority. 71
72
73
Primary Montessori Lotteries 74
This lottery will separate applicants into two pools with two-thirds of the seats identified for 75
parents’ or guardians’ whose income is at or less than 80% of the median income in Arlington 76
County and one-third of the slots available for all other applicants. 77
78
Preference is then given to siblings of concurrently-enrolled students at the Montessori site for 79
which the student is applying. 80
81
Community Peer Program (CPP) Lotteries 82
This lottery will be conducted by the following preferences: 83
84
1.Students zoned for the neighborhood where the CPP is located, 85
2.Family income at or below 200% of the poverty level, and 86
3.Children of APS employees provided they are Arlington residents. 87
88
Waitlists 89
90
The waitlist will be used to determine the order for admitting students not initially admitted through 91
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
3
the lottery. If the requested school/program has a waitlist, each application submitted after the stated 92
admission deadlines will be placed at the end of the appropriate waitlist, in the order received. 93
94
As space becomes available, admission will be offered to students on the waitlist in the order 95
established by the lottery. 96
Waitlists will not carry over from one school year to another and will be dissolved at the end of the 97
school year for which the student applied. 98
New waitlists will be developed each year based on an annual lottery. 99
New students and APS students who are not admitted via the lottery or off the waitlist during 100
the school year must re-apply each year for the program(s) or school(s) that interest them.101
Registration 102
Familiesacceptedthroughthelotteryintopreschoolprogramsmustregisterbythegivendeadline.If103
comingfromoverseasormovingtoArlingtonlaterinthesummerfamiliesshouldcontacttheWelcome104
Centerforanappointmentbythegivendeadline.105
106
Familiescomingoffthewaitlistshouldcompleteregistrationwithinaweekofacceptingtheseatorcontact107
theWelcomeCenterforanappointmentifrelocatingafterthegivendeadline.108
109
If the student is not registered or a registration appointment is not made by the deadline, the seat 110
will be offered to the next student on the waitlist. 111
112
113
114
115
PRESCHOOL LOCATIONS 116
VPI is offered at every APS elementary option school. Preschool is also offered at neighborhood 117
elementary schools to the extent possible, given financial constraints and capacity limits. 118
119
Four-year-old students in VPI option schools are guaranteed admission to that school’s K-5 120
program. However, all families interested in staying at the option schools must submit an 121
application through the application portal during the application window of February 1through April 122
15 to secure their Kindergarten seat. 123
124
All other VPI students attending a program outside of their neighborhood school must return to 125
their their neighborhood school or apply 126
to attend another school through the application process for elementary option schools/programs or 127
neighborhood transfers if available. 128
129
Students attending the Primary Montessori program at the countywide site (Montessori Public 130
School of Arlington) will have the option to stay through fifth grade without having to reapply. 131
Families will complete an intent-to-return form at the school. 132
133
Students attending the Satellite Primary Montessori locations will have the option to stay through 134
Kindergarten and then apply to the county wide Montessori program for grade 1 or return to their 135
neighborhood school. Families also have the option to return to their neighborhood school for 136
Kindergarten or submit an application to an option school or to a neighborhood school that is 137
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy Implementation Procedures
J-5.3.31 PIP-2 - Preschool
4
accepting transfers. 138
139
In the Superintendent’s annual update to the School Board, APS will identify preschool locations 140
for the following school year. 141
TRANSPORTATION 142
143
Transportation will be provided to Preschool students (4 144
years old) attending option schools and/or attending their 145
neighborhood school. Transportation will also be provided 146
to three-year-old students attending the countywide 147
Montessori school. Transportation will also be provided 148
at the countywide VPI site. 149
150
151
References152
153
PolicyI‐1.34EarlyChildhoodPrograms154
PolicyJ‐5.3.30Admissions155
PolicyJ‐53.31OptionsandTransfers156