THE CHANGING FACE OF ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS OVER THE PAST SIX DECADES

Over the past 60 years, beginning with the integration of Stratford Junior High and extending to the current day with plans for new buildings and revisioning the high school experience, Arlington Public Schools has considered the changing needs of its school population through periods of expansion and decline, changing demographics, technology growth and evolving instructional approaches. Arlington continues to focus on providing high-quality instruction for all students.

www.apsva.us Arlington, VA 1958-67 the county, a major initiative in Cross Cultural this effort in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Professional Learning was introduced and Arlington’s hiring guidelines became the Arlington Public Schools’ commitment implemented for teachers at all levels. basis for the state’s ESOL teacher certification to diversity was clearly articulated and During this decade, APS experienced requirements. demonstrated during the struggle to integrate significant growth in its student population, Arlington’s Asian student population Stratford Junior High School in February reaching an enrollment high of 25,261 students (predominantly from Vietnam, Laos, and 1959. In fact, that one event represented the in the 1961-62 school year supported by a Cambodia) was 1.8% in 1970, but grew culmination of many years of community cadre of 1,202 teachers. These numbers would dramatically beginning in 1975 reaching 15% activism by the Arlington School Board, a not be repeated until the 2016-17 school year by 1983. In 1975 there were 879 non-English dedicated corps of community volunteers when APS reached 26,152 students and an speaking students in APS. With the fall of Saigon in the Arlington Committee to Preserve instructional corps of 2,166 teachers. in the mid-70s, the rapid influx of families from Public Schools and the local chapter of the Vietnam led to a rapid transformation of the NAACP. Their commitment and dedication to 1968-77 Clarendon business district, which became challenge the “separate but equal” laws with The years 1968-77 were significant to APS known as “Little Saigon” by 1976. the Commonwealth of Virginia led to a long history for a variety of reasons. In June of 1971, While the numbers of second language and extensive debate in the Federal courts and Drew Elementary School ceased to exist as students increased in our schools, at the same eventually the U.S. Supreme Court. Their success an African-American school, and reopened time the overall population of APS dropped by was marked by the historic event on February 2, that September as Drew Model School, a 21.7% during this period, falling from 26,300 in 1959, placing Arlington County at the top of the countywide choice school aimed at attracting 1968 to 20,593 in 1974. This decline resulted in news throughout Virginia and across the nation. students with a unique individualized learning the School Board’s decision to close a number However, while that one day certainly was a approach. As a result of this transition, students of schools at that time. Between 1971 and 1975, milestone for the community, it reflects just one in the predominantly African-American Nauck Cherrydale, Edison, Langston, Lee, Stewart, event in APS’ and the community’s continued and Arlington View neighborhoods were Woodlawn, Clay-Fillmore, Maury and Madison focus and efforts to ensure that Arlington’s reassigned and bused to other schools as far elementary schools were closed with students public schools are welcoming and focused away as Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown being reassigned to other neighboring schools. on providing optimal and equitable learning with the goal of increasing diversity at these During this same period, due to specific growth experiences for all students. and other schools where there was not a broad in particular areas, both Glebe and Long Branch After the integration of Stratford in 1959, representation. The transfer policy was also elementary schools were opened. Patrick Henry Elementary and Washington-Lee adjusted to monitor that transfers did not cause In 1972, newly-rebuilt Thomas Jefferson High School were also integrated at the start the percentage of African-American students Junior High School opened as the first joint-use of the following school year. Several other in the school to fall below 7% or to exceed 19% facility in collaboration with Arlington County. In APS schools continued to serve solely African- of the school’s population. In addition to the 1974, the Career Center opened and offered high American students, including the Hoffman- opening of Drew Model School, APS added a school students across the county vocational and Boston Junior/Senior High School until June Montessori Program that year to Drew to serve technical instruction in skill-level jobs. In 1977, 1964, Langston Elementary (in the northern part three-, four- and five-year-old children, with two The H-B Woodlawn Program was identified to of the county) until 1966 and Drew Elementary thirds of the spaces reserved for students from move to the Stratford site, combining its junior (in the southern part of the county) until 1971. low income families. high and high school programs in one location. To help prepare and support the APS staff During this decade, Arlington also during this period of integration throughout experienced a sudden and significant increase in its second language population. Since 1971, APS has offered programs for students not yet proficient in English. By 1975, APS had a full program in place for English Learners, the English for Speakers of Other Languages/High Intensity Language Training (ESOL/HILT) Program. Because APS was a forerunner in

Stratford students Police watch as students enter integrated Stratford Children in Little Saigon Photo credit: Paula Endo

Old Thomas Jefferson building Enrollment of 25,261 Integration of Stratford Little Saigon flourishes Hoffman-Boston Jr./Sr. High School closes Drew Model School opens Hispanic population begins to grow ESOL/HILT Program Langston Elementary closes and quadruples during the 1980s

Stratford & Gunston Jr. Highs close Thomas Jefferson opens as joint-use facility

Career Center opens

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1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1978-87 minority achievement culminating in the opening of Gunston Middle School in 1994, creation of the APS Minority Achievement adjusting the elementary and middle school In 1978 APS closed the Stratford and Coordinator position in 1985. This position later boundaries to balance enrollment and moving Gunston Junior High Schools, and after expanded into an office that included school- the Jackson Special Education Program and the subsequent boundary adjustments, ninth grade based coordinators who continue to work with older student HILT Program to H-B Woodlawn. was moved to the high school level that year. minority families to address the achievement At the elementary level, the initiatives included During this same period, elementary growth needs of students. moving Arlington Traditional Elementary continued to decline, causing more elementary to the old Jackson Elementary School site school closings: Custis and Fairlington closed in 1988-97 (its current location) and opening Arlington 1979, Ft. Myer and Jackson in 1980, Woodmont This period in APS history was marked by Science Focus Elementary School in the old in1982, Claremont in 1983 and Reed in 1984. steady growth across the grade levels. In 1988, Page School building and establishing the Key/ In a move to bring African-American the School and Grade Configuration Study Science Focus, Jamestown and Taylor team in students living in the Nauck and Arlington Committee reported to the School Board on 1995. In addition, the Claremont Early Years View neighborhoods closer to home, school numerous options to address elementary Center (Pre-K through second grade) opened assignments were changed and implemented crowding and diversity. As a result of its in 1993 to relieve crowding at the Abingdon, starting in 1987. This resulted in students recommendations, the Middle School Model Randolph, and Glencarlyn elementary schools. being reassigned to neighboring schools was implemented across Arlington in 1990, Middle school immersion instruction moved including Barcroft and Abingdon. In addition, moving sixth graders out of elementary schools to Gunston in 1997 to bring students from Key, APS eliminated the 1971 transfer plan that to the current sixth, seventh and eighth grade Abingdon, and Oakridge together for middle had limited the number of African-American Middle School configuration. Also, additional school. students. space was achieved by redistricting the Key This time period also saw the expansion During the early 1980s, internal issues in attendance area and moving HILT programs of full day kindergarten to all schools in 1994 Bolivia as well as parts of Central America, from Swanson to Williamsburg and from and the introduction of the Virginia Preschool also resulted in many families leaving those Washington-Lee to Yorktown. Initiative (VPI) four-year-old classes in 1995. countries and immigrating to the United States, The hallmark of this ten-year period was resulting in significant growth in Arlington’s the large-scale community involvement 1998-2007 Hispanic population. In 1980, APS had 409 initiative known as The Futures Planning This ten-year timeframe saw some Spanish-speaking students, and by 1990 the Process. From its inception in early 1992, to continued growth of enrollment in the late number had more than quadrupled, reaching the final Superintendent’s Recommendations 1990s and early 2000s followed by slight dips 1,660. As the Hispanic population grew in the Report in November 1993, this process focused from 2003 to 2007 when enrollment was at area surrounding Key Elementary, a Spanish on planning for the educational needs of 17,502 in 2007. Immersion Program was introduced in 1986 Arlington’s growing population. A joint citizen/ Oakridge Elementary experienced in part to attract non-Hispanic families and staff steering team, along with a 100+ member significant growth in the late 1990s leading provide a balanced enrollment at the school. citizen forum, addressed three challenges the School Board to open Hoffman-Boston With the increase in Hispanic and Asian in developing a range of options and as an elementary school, initially as an annex students and the steady proportion of African opportunities. The challenges included to Oakridge in 1996, and as its own school American students, attention was given to 1. Maintaining and improving educational with boundaries in 1999. In addition, in 2004, quality, elementary students living in the Nauck Civic 2. Alleviating crowding, and Association area were given the option to attend 3. Dealing equitably with diversity. either Hoffman-Boston (their neighborhood The Futures Planning recommendations boundary zone) or Drew Model School. included 32 initiatives to be implemented With the opening of a second full from 1994 through 1998. Included in these elementary immersion school at Claremont, initiatives identified by the forum were the new immersion boundaries were

Barcroft Elementary, 1979

Gunston Middle School Claremont Elementary School

Hoffman-Boston Elementary opens Barrett Cluster ATS moves, ASFS opens Cultural Competence initiative VPI Initiative Spanish Immersion at Claremont Gunston Middle School opens Hispanic population begins to grow Full-day Kindergarten and quadruples during the 1980s Spanish Immersion at Key Middle School model implemented Minority Achievement Coordinators Futures Planning Process

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1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1967 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 drawn for both Key and Claremont in 2003. in population and in the diversity of APS high schools. In 2019, both the new school These “boundaries” divided Arlington east and enrollment overall, the Department of Student at the Wilson site (which will house the H-B west in an effort to increase both language Services introduced an initiative in 1998 known Woodlawn and Stratford programs) and a new and ethnic diversity at both choice schools. In as Cultural Competence to increase awareness middle school at the renovated and expanded 2003, a number of other boundary adjustments of, and sensitivity to, issues facing our minority Stratford site will open to address middle were also made for Abingdon, Barcroft, population as well as unconscious biases. This school crowding. A community process will take Hoffman-Boston, Henry, Long Branch, Oakridge staff-focused effort has expanded over the years place in the 2017-18 school year to determine and Randolph to better balance enrollment and work continues to the present day. new boundaries for the middle school at across South Arlington elementary schools. Stratford. There are also plans underway to add In addition, with the move of the Glencarlyn 2008-17 1,300 more high school seats by 2022. school to the newly-built Carlin Springs, early This most recent decade in APS history has At the elementary level, the More Seats for childhood program formerly located at the been one of increasingly significant student More Students initiative began in 2012 with a Claremont site was moved to the Glencarlyn growth. The Fall 2016 enrollment of 26,152 community process to identify boundaries for site as a full elementary school and renamed students represents the tenth consecutive the new Discovery Elementary which opened Campbell Elementary. A new admissions school year of growth in APS. Since 2007 in 2015, along with boundary adjustments policy for Campbell was approved, making it a (when enrollment was at 17,502 students), APS for other North Arlington elementary schools. choice program with preference given to South enrollment has increased by 8,650 students, The South Arlington Working Group process Arlington students. which equates to a 49% growth over the past began in 2015 and resulted in identification During this time, portions of North Arlington ten years. Partly in response to this growth, a of the Jefferson site to build a new South were also experiencing overcrowding. In 2005, countywide committee produced an APS Master Arlington Elementary School set to open in along with some minor boundary adjustments, Planning Report in 2015 that included a range 2019 to accommodate the students currently the Barrett Cluster was established, giving the of recommendations and considerations to both enrolled at Patrick Henry. In addition to adding option to attend Barrett, with transportation, to address future growth and ensure the provision a new school, plans are underway to move the students in the Ashlawn, Glebe, Long Branch, of optimal instructional opportunities. Montessori program to its own facility at the McKinley, Nottingham and Tuckahoe areas with To accommodate this growth, a number of Henry site in 2019, and to establish Drew as a the added goal of increasing diversity at Barrett community boundary processes have taken place neighborhood school. These moves will require while relieving crowding at the other schools. to address capacity issues while recognizing community processes in the 2017-18 school In this time period, community concerns and six criteria identified by the School Board when year to identify boundary changes. lawsuits arose regarding the admissions process considering boundary changes. Those criteria to both Arlington Traditional Elementary (ATS) include efficiency, proximity, stability, alignment, SUMMARY and the H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, demographic diversity and contiguity. Over the past 60 years, Arlington Public which allocated a set number of slots to minority In 2009, the School Board adopted a Schools has focused on providing high-quality students. Committees were formed to consider Progressive Planning Model as an approach instruction for all students. In the end, the alternative approaches to admissions that might to implement short- and long-term solutions goal continues to be a focus on providing help increase diversity at these schools, while in a fair and equitable way across schools. the best instructional environment, staff and maintaining a random lottery process. The These interim steps, along with rebuilding resources to ensure that every student has the resulting policy for ATS guaranteed admission to and then expanding all three high schools best support and opportunity to achieve and students enrolled in the VPI classes at ATS along and reconfiguring the use of internal spaces succeed. with their siblings. The policy for H-B Woodlawn at all middle schools, have helped to manage allocated a percentage of the total seats available this unprecedented growth. A new program, RESOURCES to each neighborhood elementary zone based Arlington Tech at the Career Center, opened in A Chink in the Armor: The Black-Led Struggle for on the proportion of fifth graders living in that 2016 and will expand to serve 800 high school School Desegregation in Arlington, Virginia and zone. Both policies students in new space the End of Massive Resistance, James McGrath were initiated in planned for completion at Morris, 2000 2002 with the goal of the Career Center by 2022. A New American Community of Learners in increasing minority In December 2016, Arlington Virginia, ed. Etta Johnson, 2013 student enrollment the School Board adopted for these countywide additional boundary Annual APS Enrollment Projections Report, option schools. refinements to better balance December, 2016 With the increase enrollment among the three Futures Planning Report and Recommendations to the School Board, 1993 Managing Underutilized School Facilities Resulting from Declining Pupil Enrollment: Groundbreaking at Discovery Elementary A Case Study, Joseph Ringus Jr., 1981 The Future of Arlington, Year 2000 and Beyond, Commission on Arlington’s Future, 1987 The History of Arlington Public Schools 1979-1995, Eric Christenson, 1995

Enrollment of 25,261 Arlington Tech opens

Progressive Planning Model Discovery Elementary opens The History of School Closings, Henry D. Gardner, 1988 More Seats for More Students initiative Mr. Mark Macekura and Dr. Alfred O. Taylor Jr. were both valuable sources Activities at Arlington Science Focus of historical information, as were the archives of the Virginia Room of the Arlington Public Library. Published May 2017 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017