Administrative Placements

Arlington Public Schools determines a student’s eligibility to attend school in alignment with the Code of Virginia and according to School Board Policy J-5.3.30 Admissions. The process for determining which school an admitted student may attend, including the neighborhood school assigned according to the division’s boundaries, options schools, and neighborhood transfers, is conducted according to School Board Policy J-5.31 Options and Transfers. Additional Arlington Public Schools policies provide governance on admittance and serving school.

In special situations, Arlington Public Schools may admit a student or place a student in an alternate school or program. Placements are based on aligning student needs with Arlington Public School’s services. The following special circumstances are considered for Administrative Placements:

Requests of Local Courts
The Superintendent or designee may, upon written request from a judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of Arlington County, permit a student to transfer to an Arlington school other than the one serving his/her attendance area. Such a request shall be related to the student’s appearance before that judge or before a judge of a similar court in another jurisdiction and shall be based on the student’s court involvement.

Program Continuity
The Superintendent or their designee may place a student at a school to bridge short-term (typically one or two quarter) gaps in their instructional program.

Result of Disciplinary Actions
The Superintendent or their designee may place a student at a school as a result of a disciplinary incident.

Inability to Access Education
The Superintendent or their designee may place a student at a school if the student is unable to access the education at their assigned school due to repeated bullying or other similar documented situations.

Medical or Psychological Needs
The Superintendent or their designee may place a student at a school as a result of medical or psychological needs as certified by a medical professional.

Hardship
The Superintendent or their designee may place a student at a school as a result of hardships which make it difficult for the student or family to access APS services at their home school. The following are considered hardships:
1. Death in the family
2. Medical illness of the parent/legal guardian
3. Financial difficulties

Requesting an Administrative Placement

If a student meets the aforementioned criteria, a family is able to request an administrative placement for a student(s) to be placed at a school other than their neighborhood school. Administrative placements are approved on a case-by-case basis and are based on the particular circumstances of a student’s situation pursuant to School Board Policy J-5.3.32 Administrative Placement. All administrative placement requests must be submitted for review by using the link to the Administrative Placement Request Form below.

2023-24 (Next School Year) Administrative Placement Request Form: English | Spanish

For additional information or questions about administrative placements, please contact the Office of School Support at 703-228-7224 or email the following individuals:

• Elementary (K-5) Requests: elementaryed@apsva.us
• Secondary (6-12) Requests: secondaryed@apsva.us