Countywide Elementary Options

Arlington Public Schools provides families the opportunity to attend an option school/program as an alternative to attending their neighborhood school. In order to be considered for an option school, families must submit an application online between Feb. 1, 2023 and April 17, 2023 by 4 p.m. Learn about the application process. If more applications are received than there are seats available, APS will conduct a random, double-blind lottery to determine admission.  The Options and Transfers policy is outlined in School Board Policy J-5.3.31.

Arlington Traditional School (ATS)

The ATS approach to instruction is traditional and structured.

• School Profile
• Population it serves — Kindergarten to 5th grade
• Transportation — Transportation is available for students attending option schools/programs who live outside their school’s walk zone (View school bus eligibility maps). All transportation for option school and programs is provided via hub stops. Hub stops are central locations—such as a community center or school—where students from several neighborhoods meet to catch the bus to their school and may be a longer distance from a student’s residence. Transportation is not provided for neighborhood transfers or administrative placements.
• TO APPLY: Submit an Elementary Option School Application through the online application portal.
• Admission process — Countywide admission is by an application process between Feb. 1 and April 17, for the following school year.

Campbell Elementary School

Campbell is an Expeditionary Learning (EL) School, in which students learn through authentic hands on experiences and through nature. Developmental appropriateness is a guiding force at Campbell, where students develop at their own pace.

• School Profile
• Population it serves — Kindergarten to 5th grade
• Transportation — Transportation is available for students attending option schools/programs who live outside their school’s walk zone (View school bus eligibility maps). All transportation for option school and programs is provided via hub stops. Hub stops are central locations—such as a community center or school—where students from several neighborhoods meet to catch the bus to their school and may be a longer distance from a student’s residence. Transportation is not provided for neighborhood transfers or administrative placements.
• TO APPLY: Submit an Elementary Option School Application through the online application portal.
• Admission process — Countywide admission is by an application process between Feb. 1 and April 17, for the following school year.

Claremont Immersion Elementary School

Claremont Elementary School is one of two English/Spanish Immersion schools. The program is also offered at Key. Two-way Spanish immersion program includes half-day content instruction in English and Spanish in developing communication skills of listening, speaking, etc.

• School Profile
• Population it serves — Kindergarten to 5th grade. Serves students from the following elementary school attendance areas: Abingdon, Barcroft, Carlin Springs, Dr. Charles R. Drew, Hoffman-Boston, Randolph, and Oakridge.
• Transportation — Transportation is available for students attending option schools/programs who live outside their school’s walk zone (View school bus eligibility maps). All transportation for option school and programs is provided via hub stops. Hub stops are central locations—such as a community center or school—where students from several neighborhoods meet to catch the bus to their school and may be a longer distance from a student’s residence. Transportation is not provided for neighborhood transfers or administrative placements.
• TO APPLY: Submit an Elementary Option School Application through the online application portal.
• Admission process — Admission is by an application process between Feb. 1 and April 17, for the following school year.
• Program information — Additional information about the Spanish Immersion Program is available on the Dual Language Immersion Program webpage.

Escuela Key Immersion Elementary

Escuela Key Elementary is one of two English/Spanish Immersion schools. The program is also offered at Claremont. Two-way Spanish immersion program includes half-day content instruction in English and Spanish in developing communication skills of listening, speaking, etc.

• School Profile
• Population it Serves — Kindergarten to 5th grade. Serves students from the following elementary school attendance areas: Ashlawn, Alice West Fleet, Arlington Science  Focus, Barrett, Cardinal, Discovery, Glebe, Innovation, Jamestown, Long Branch, Nottingham, Taylor, and Tuckahoe.
• Transportation — Transportation is available for students attending option schools/programs who live outside their school’s walk zone (View school bus eligibility maps). All transportation for option school and programs is provided via hub stops. Hub stops are central locations—such as a community center or school—where students from several neighborhoods meet to catch the bus to their school and may be a longer distance from a student’s residence. Transportation is not provided for neighborhood transfers or administrative placements.
• TO APPLY: Submit an Elementary Option School Application through the online application portal.
• Admission process — Admission is by an application process between Feb. 1 and April 17, for the following school year.
• Program information — Additional information about the Spanish Immersion Program is available on the Dual Language Immersion Program webpage.

Montessori Public School of Arlington

The Montessori Public School of Arlington uses a modern approach to instruction which includes team teaching and multi-age grouping of students of different grade levels. The Montessori Public School of Arlington is the only APS elementary school that offers Montessori through the 5th grade.

• School Profile
• Population it serves — Pre-K3 to 5th grade
• Transportation — School bus transportation is provided for eligible Montessori Public School of Arlington (MPSA) students through hub stops placed in central locations where students from several neighborhoods meet to catch the bus to their school. There are 37 MPSA hub stops located throughout the County; students will be assigned to the closest stop. Families may request a different hub stop if it is more convenient and should contact the Transportation office to request the change.  A map and list of stop locations is available to view at the school’s main office.
• TO APPLY: Submit an Elementary Option School Application through the online application portal.
• Admission process — Admission is by an application process between Feb. 1 and April 17, for the following school year.

APS Montessori Program Lottery Guidelines

Per the Options and Transfers Policy J-5.3.31, students enrolled in the Montessori program continue through the program, and siblings of concurrently enrolled students will receive preference in the lottery. Additionally, preference will be provided for students enrolled in the APS satellite Montessori programs. All other students applying for the primary or lower elementary Montessori program will be included in the general lottery. For students applying to the upper elementary or middle school Montessori classes, preference will be given to those students with previous Montessori experience.

For additional information or questions, please contact the APS Welcome Center at 703-228-8000 (option 3) or schooloptions@apsva.us.