Arlington Public Schools is a public school division with a student enrollment of over 28,000 students and over 2,000 teachers in 23 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 4 high schools. According to their website, close to $637 million was budgeted for the school district in 2019 and Forbes magazine named the Washington, D.C. and Arlington area as the top place in the nation to educate one’s child in 2007.
The district defines their core values as:
- Excellence: Ensure all students receive an exemplary education that is academically challenging and meets their social and emotional needs.
- Equity: Eliminate opportunity gaps and achieve excellence by providing access to schools, resources, and learning opportunities according to each student’s unique needs.
- Inclusivity: Strengthen our community by valuing people for who they are, nurturing our diversity, and embracing the contributions of all students, families, and staff.
- Integrity: Build trust by acting honestly, openly, ethically, and respectfully.
- Collaboration: Foster partnerships with families, community, and staff to support the success of our students.
- Innovation: Engage in forward-thinking to identify bold ideas that enable us to be responsive to the expectations of our organization and community while cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and resourcefulness in our students.
- Stewardship: Manage our resources to honor the community’s investment in our schools; create safe, healthy, and environmentally sustainable learning environments; support civic and community engagement; and serve current and future generations.