Long Branch Elementary School

Long Branch Elementary, home of the lions, is a great place for children to learn! Long Branch is a neighborhood school serving the Lyon Park, Ashton Heights, Fort Myer Military Base, Arlington View, Penrose and Woodbury Towers communities. Long Branch students hail from more than twenty different countries, reflecting the diversity and demographic of Arlington County.

The Long Branch staff and community are proud of the rich academic and cultural heritage of the school. Our focus is on responsive education, an instructional approach that is responsive to students’ talents, interests and challenges in an effort to enhance student achievement. The foundation of Long Branch’s instruction is based on teaching for meaning that in turn provides a well-rounded, rigorous education without compromising high academic standards and prepares students to become productive, responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of a changing and exciting future. Long Branch continues to be a school where students are eager to enter the building each morning and former students and staff proudly return to visit. The warm and welcoming atmosphere at Long Branch Elementary School greets visitors and encourages parent and community participation in all aspects of the school.

Source of information obtained from https://www.apsva.us/school-overviews/long-branch-elementary-school/

Jefferson Middle School

Thomas Jefferson Middle School is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP), authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in the spring of 2007. Our programme, for all students grades 6-8, is designed to expose students to a global academic program that promotes interdisciplinary approaches to learning and critical thinking. As the only IB Middle Years Programme in Arlington, our students continue to be provided with a framework of academic challenge and skills for life-long learning. This program “offers an educational approach that embraces, yet transcends, traditional school subjects.” All students receive their core academic instruction from a team of teachers. Additionally, students participate in a varied elective program and an active health and physical education program.

Thomas Jefferson is unique for many other reasons, one of which is its design and operation as a joint-use facility. Thomas Jefferson Middle School provides a child-centered approach to continuous learning. Interdisciplinary teaming, flexible scheduling, and a teacher-advisor program are integral parts of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The staff at Thomas Jefferson works continually to create an exciting and productive middle school program where all students are nurtured and challenged to achieve at the highest levels possible.

Source of information obtained from https://www.apsva.us/school-overviews/jefferson-middle-school/

Washington Lee High School

Washington-Lee was the first of three comprehensive high schools to be established in Arlington. Now in its 90th year of operation, the school boasts a diverse student population representing more than 50 countries across the globe.

Washington-Lee is proud of its history and traditions, which include honors by the U.S. Department of Education, The Virginia Board of Education, the Virginia Department of Education and The Washington Post. Washington-Lee’s new building, completed in the summer of 2009, has been awarded Gold certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Students entering Washington-Lee in ninth grade participate in the Freshman Connection, a transition program designed to ease the process of entering high school from middle school. Students are divided in Small Learning Communities with four core subject area teachers and a special education teacher. The teachers for each community meet regularly to provide support for students as they adjust to the rigors of academic and social life at the high school level. Guidance counselors and a designated assistant principal work closely with the communities.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma was first offered at Washington-Lee in 1998, when the first cohort of 13 students graduated. Since that time, nearly 621 students have earned the prestigious IB Diploma in conjunction with the Virginia Advanced Studies Diploma. Successful completion of IB courses and exams may lead to college credit and/or advanced standing at colleges and universities.

Washington-Lee also offers an extensive selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses which require students to complete an exit exam that may lead to college credit.

Washington-Lee graduates in 2014 earned more than $11.1 million in scholarship awards. Ninety-four percent of graduates go directly on to higher education, with more than 71 percent enrolling in four year colleges and universities.

Washington-Lee provides an opportunity for seniors to pursue a career interest or complete a special project during the final three weeks of the senior year. The Senior Experience Program, Exploring Work from Theory to Practice, is now in its ninth year. It is open to any senior who has a 2.0 grade point average or higher as well as the recommendation of senior year instructors. Participants are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of field work, maintain a daily time sheet, and submit a written reflection at the end of the program. Ninety-five percent of seniors participated in the 2014 Senior Experience Program.

Source of information obtained from https://www.apsva.us/school-overviews/washington-lee-high-school/