Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash
Alexandria, Virginia, is unique in that it offers two public school systems operated by two governing bodies: Fairfax County Public Schools and Alexandria City Public Schools. Together, they provide more than 200,000 children with educational services daily.
While house hunting, you’ll find that homeowners often lead with or emphasize the name of the house’s zoned schools in their advertising. This is a popular marketing tool for homeowners within FCPS and ACPS. The expensive real estate market reflects access to top-ranked schools and pushes rental and purchase prices beyond what many military families consider BAH budget-friendly.
There’s a good chance your children will attend a school within FCPS, either because you were aware of its solid reputation and wanted to take full advantage of the resource or that the Alexandria, Fairfax County, borders are so encompassing you’ve simply moved within its boundaries. Either way, knowing some facts and figures about one of the country’s largest school systems for educational purposes and future home resale values is helpful.
Within a school system that houses more than 182,000 students and maintains a fleet of 1,600 buses that rivals a small city’s bus fleet, there are bound to be some issues that parents are unhappy about. However, because FCPS has so many resources to offer students, there are a generous number of positive opinions and observations online that need consideration.
FCPS Fast Facts
- #6 in Best School District in Virginia, according to Niche.com 2024
- $16,892 spent on each student
- FCPS has nearly 200 schools and centers
- 2024 Budget: $3.5 billion
- Almost 93% of students graduate after four years of high school.
- 238 students from 18 high schools were named semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in 2023.
FCPS prides itself on offering a diverse student population the tools they need for a successful educational career. FCPS reports that 200 languages are represented within its student body. Nurturing inclusivity of all types is also a hallmark of its education mission.
Because of the school system's popularity, overcrowding and temporary classrooms are continuous problems. School buildings undergo a regularly scheduled slate of renovations and remodeling, exacerbating the need for modular buildings to hold classes.
Photo from iStock.com/Inside Creative House
ACPS has a distinguished and long history in public education. Its earliest iterations were created with help from President George Washington to educate orphans and poor children. Modern ACPS history includes the struggle of black Americans during the civil rights era and the challenges faced during the desegregation of schools.
Today, families continue to choose ACPS for many reasons, including its traditional academic and special education programs like the Dual Language Program and Advanced Academic Services. The walkability to many of the community schools is also a huge draw.
Due to continued growth and overcrowding in some school buildings, the 2018-2019 school year was the first to have new boundary lines implemented. It's a good idea to check with ACPS to guarantee your home’s assigned school. Well-meaning friends and neighbors may be unaware of slight changes and offer outdated advice.
ACPS Fast Facts
- #1 Most Diverse School Districts in Virginia 2024, according to Niche.com
- More than 16,000 total student enrollment
- Students arrive from 119 countries and speak 121 languages
- 18 total schools include: 1 pre-K, 12 elementary, 2 K-8, 2 middle, and 1 high school
- Per Pupil Cost: $18,387
Incoming military families often consider ACPS schools due to their proximity to neighborhoods with easy commutes into Washington, DC, Maryland, and nearby military and government offices. Several Metro stations offer service to and from the City of Alexandria.
Photo from iStock.com/LuckyBusiness
FCPS and ACPS: What to Expect
Alexandria parents should note that Virginia’s winter weather is hard to predict. School officials are very cautious when deciding whether or not to open schools during inclement weather. Not only does the inconvenience factor increase when kids stay home, but parents find childcare extremely difficult to lock down when schools are unexpectedly closed.
It's common for newcomers to have mixed feelings about Alexandria’s (and Northern Virginia’s in general) public education. Compared to many school districts across the country, it is a fast-paced and competitive atmosphere. However, strong academics and a thriving student body continue to win over families looking for top-notch public education that includes some of the amenities private schools are known to offer.
New to Alexandria? Get your free guide to the area below:
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