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High School Information and Academic Planning

building with the words high school written on it

School counselors will meet with all 8th grade students to discuss high school course options and academic progression. More information will be posted here as events are planned.

Academic Planning

Course Request Form (CRF) Due Dates

February 14, 2024    Rising 9th Graders Course Request Forms Due to school counselor

High School Program of Studies (Course Catalog)

The Program of Studies is written for students and parents to outline general and specific information regarding curricular offerings and services in Arlington Public Schools.

Academic Planning and Course Information Nights

Yorktown: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 6:30pm in the auditorium

Washington-Liberty: Jan 31, 2024 at 7 pm in person

Wakefield: February 7, 2024 at 6 pm in person

School Options and Programs

Neighborhood Transfers

APS allows limited transfers between neighborhood schools, based on capacity and financial constraints.

The following high schools are accepting transfers for the 2024-25 school year:

Washington-Liberty: Wakefield students accepting a transfer to Washington-Liberty will be eligible to use Transportation from an existing Washington-Liberty hub stop.
Yorktown: No Transportation Provided

Middle and High Schools (Neighborhood Transfers)

Applications Open Mon, Feb 19, at 4 p.m.
Applications Close Fri, March 8, at 4 p.m.
Online Live Lottery  Wed, March 13, at 1 p.m.
Families receive lottery results  on Fri, March 15, by 8 p.m.
Families must accept or decline the offer  by Fri, March 22, by 8 p.m.

 

Family Information Sessions

Each high school offers an in-person information session between November and December. Families are encouraged to attend to learn about their assigned neighborhood school or option school of interest, meet school staff, and ask questions.November

  • Wakefield High School (Focus on immersion and the AP Network) – Mon, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.
  • Arlington Tech Virtual Info Session – Tue, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
  • Washington-Liberty High School (Intro to academics, life at W-l and focus on IB Diploma Programme) – Thu, Nov. 30, 7 p.m. (Hybrid)

December

  • Yorktown High School (AP Capstone) – Tue, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
  • H-B Woodlawn – Tue, Dec. 12, 7 p.m.
  • Arlington Tech – Wed, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. (in person)

Application Timelines for School Year 2024-25

Middle and High Schools

Open – Monday, Nov. 6, 2023

Close – Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Lottery (online) – Jan. 22, 1 p.m.

Families receive lottery results by 8 p.m. – Jan. 29

Accept/Decline Deadline  – Feb. 5, 11:59 p.m.

High School Options

Option schools and programs offer specialized educational instruction. Interested families must submit an online application during a specific time period. Spaces are limited.

Learn about the application and lottery process.
Review frequently asked questions.

Five programs are offered for high school students (grades 9-12)

H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program focuses on student choice. Students make choices in three general areas: use of time and personal behavior, educational goals and school governance.

Slot allotment for prospective students: 

Arlington Tech @ the Arlington Career Center

The Arlington Tech program is a CTE Governors STEM Academy. Through a partnership with NOVA, students earn college credits, degrees, or certificates in dual enrolled classes.  Students participate in:

  • A rigorous early college program
  • Project-based learning with a focus on collaboration and project management
  • Course pathways focused on STEM and CTE classes
  • A year-long capstone during senior year

IB @ Washington-Liberty

The IB diploma curriculum at Washington-Liberty offers a rigorous and comprehensive education based on a global perspective.The number of IB transfer slots for each school year is based on the previous year’s grade 9 admissions and grade 12 completions.

The Wakefield AP Network was created to provide student support through a variety of academic and counseling initiatives. Wakefield offers 30 of the 38 AP courses authorized by the College Board.

The Wakefield Dual Language (English and Spanish) Immersion Program provides an academic continuation of the middle school English-Spanish Immersion Program provided at Gunston Middle School.

  • 8th Grade students who wish to continue in high school will complete an Intent-to-Return form in the spring.
  • Interested students who are new to APS and have academic language skills in Spanish and English, will need to take a proficiency exam.

Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is a Fairfax County public school designated by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as a Governor’s regional school offering a comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing the sciences, mathematics, and technology. Learn about their admissions process and timeline.