Long Branch Elementary School

Long Branch has been a neighborhood school since 1973 and its Pre-K to grade five students reflect Arlington’s diverse and changing population. Long Branch uses the “Responsive Classroom Approach,” allowing all children to be part of a caring community in which social and academic learning are fully integrated throughout the school day, and in which students are nurtured to become strong ethical thinkers. Long Branch staff commits to getting to know each student as an individual and strives to provide a positive, engaging, and enriching environment in which all students are active participants and show continuous progress.

Long Branch’s achievements are the results of a focused, hard-working staff, a dedicated group of students, and a parent community that values education and supports the school’s programs. The school’s fine arts and performing arts programs are among the most dynamic in Arlington, making annual concerts and musicals popular community events.

Information obtained from www.apsva.us/school-overviews/long-branch-elementary-school/

Jefferson Middle School

Thomas Jefferson Middle School is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP), authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in the spring of 2007.The programme, for all students grades 6-8, is designed to expose students to a global academic program that promotes interdisciplinary approaches to learning and critical thinking. As the only IB Middle Years Programme in Arlington, students continue to be provided with a framework of academic challenge in addition to life-long learning skills. This program “offers an educational approach that embraces, yet transcends, traditional school subjects.” All students receive their core academic instruction from a team of teachers.

Students participate in community projects and service activities; the International Day of Peace, an International Festival; a Science Fair, and an International Film Day. Thomas Jefferson offers face-to-face World Languages instruction as an elective beginning in the sixth grade. Students at Thomas Jefferson conduct student-led conferences where students lead the discussion with their parents/guardians and advisory teacher about their academics.

Thomas Jefferson is unique for many reasons, one of which is its design and operation as a joint-use facility. The school enjoys a cooperative relationship with the Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation. In 2018, Thomas Jefferson students were recognized, locally and nationally, for their hard work and dedication. Examples of such recognition include: earning first place at the SchoolsNEXT Design competition, first place in the APS HEADS UP! PSA contest, receiving the IB Mid-Atlantic Student Excellence Award, and earning credit-by-exam in record numbers. Thomas Jefferson students also participated and placed at the NOVA Regional Science and Engineering Fair, the Model United Nations Conference, and were 2018 County Wrestling Champions.

Thomas Jefferson provides a student-centered approach to continuous learning. Interdisciplinary teaming, flexible scheduling and a teacher-advisor program are integral parts of the school’s program. The dynamic staff at Thomas Jefferson works continually to create an exciting and productive middle school program where all students are nurtured and challenged to achieve at the highest possible levels. At Thomas Jefferson Middle School, we believe in learning together to understand and improve ourselves, our futures, and our world.

Information obtained from https://www.apsva.us/school-overviews/jefferson-middle-school/

Washington Lee High School

Washington-Lee was the first of three comprehensive high schools to be established in Arlington. Now in its 93rd year of operation, the school boasts a diverse student population representing more than 50 countries across the globe. Washington-Lee is proud of its history and traditions, which include honors by the U.S. Department of Education, The Virginia Board of Education, the Virginia Department of Education, and The Washington Post. Washington-Lee’s building has been awarded Gold certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Students entering Washington-Lee in ninth grade participate in the Freshman Connection, a transition program designed to ease the process of entering high school from middle school. Students are divided in Small Learning Communities with four core subject area teachers and a special education teacher. The teachers for each community meet regularly to provide support for students as they adjust to the rigors of academic and social life at the high school level. Guidance counselors and a designated assistant principal work closely with the communities.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma was first offered at Washington-Lee in 1998, when the first cohort of 13 students graduated. Since that time, 825 students have earned the prestigious IB Diploma in conjunction with the Virginia Advanced Studies Diploma. Countless other students have taken individual IB certificate courses. Successful completion of IB courses and exams may lead to college credit and/or advanced standing at colleges and universities.

Washington-Lee also offers an extensive selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses that require students to complete an exit exam that may lead to college credit. Students may begin AP classes as early as their freshman year.

Washington-Lee graduates in 2017 earned more than $7.5 million in scholarship awards. Ninety-three percent of graduates go directly on to higher education, with more than 72 percent enrolling in four-year colleges and universities.

Washington-Lee’s Senior Experience Program, Exploring Work from Theory to Practice, is now in its 14th year. Ninety-eight percent of seniors participated in the 2017 Senior Experience Program.

Information obtained from https://washingtonlee.apsva.us/about-us/school-profile/