Family FAQ
New to the district? Find answers to common questions below.
Enrollment, Orientation, and Tours
How will I know my enrollment is confirmed?
Once your registration is complete and approved by the Registration team, you will receive a welcome letter(email) from us. If any documents are missing or need clarification, we’ll reach out to you before that.
Once your registration is complete and approved by the Registration team, you will receive a welcome letter(email) from us. If any documents are missing or need clarification, we’ll reach out to you before that.
Are there school tours or opportunities to visit schools over the summer?
School tours are not available over the summer. However, once the school year begins, there will be a Back-to-School Night where families will have the opportunity to visit the school and meet teachers.
The exact date and time for Back-to-School Night have not been confirmed yet, but the school will share that information once it is available.
School tours are not available over the summer. However, once the school year begins, there will be a Back-to-School Night where families will have the opportunity to visit the school and meet teachers.
The exact date and time for Back-to-School Night have not been confirmed yet, but the school will share that information once it is available.
Kindergarten Specific: Orientation & Screening Details
Every year, each elementary school holds Kindergarten Screenings between late May and mid June. Specific dates and times vary by school and will be shared directly with families (whose registration has been approved) once confirmed.
- Kindergarten Orientation is a chance for families and students to visit the school together, meet staff, and learn what to expect in Kindergarten. While not required, we encourage families to bring their students to this event so they can start to feel comfortable in the school setting.
- Kindergarten Screening is a short, informal session where your student will meet individually with staff. It helps us get to know your student’s early learning skills and support a smooth start to school. Please bring your student to the screening, they are required to attend.
Are there any special requirements for student’s with IEP or 504 Plans?
- If you are coming from another district please share your IEP or 504 with your school.
- If you are coming from Menotomy Preschool, the district is already aware and service delivery will be planned for and beginning at the start of the school year.
Communication
- How do teachers communicate with families?
Teachers and schools use a variety of tools to stay connected with families, including:
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- Email for official announcements and direct communication (emails are pulled from PowerSchool)
- Google Classroom for class-specific materials, assignments, and student work
- PowerSchool Parent Portal is where families can view student grades, attendance, report cards, and other important academic information. PowerSchool may be used differently depending on your student’s grade level.
ParentSquare Chat (to be implemented during the 25-26 SY) will serve as a centralized two-way communication tool with built-in translation
- Email for official announcements and direct communication (emails are pulled from PowerSchool)
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Families are encouraged to regularly check these platforms to stay informed.
- Who should I contact if I have a concern or question about something at my student’s school?
The Arlington Public Schools Communication Process outlines the best first point of contact for different types of questions or concerns.
- How often do families receive updates on student progress?
Families typically receive progress updates at least a few times a year through report cards and parent-teacher conferences. Teachers may also share updates through email, newsletters, or classroom platforms like Google Classroom.
- How can families get connected to important APS news and updates?
Families can stay informed through email, Smore newsletters, the district website, and social media. Make sure your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool so you don’t miss anything!
Daily Schedule and Structure
- When is the first day of school? Are there staggered start dates
Kindergarten: Sept 2 & 3, 2025
The first two days of Kindergarten are split in half for a supportive start. These are full school days, but only half of the class attends each day. Students are usually split based on the first letter of their last name. Your school will provide specific information about which day your student is scheduled to attend.
The 1/2 class start helps students get comfortable with their new school, classroom, and routines. It also gives teachers time to get to know each student in smaller groups before the full schedule begins.
Grade 1-12: Sept 2, 2025
Preschool: Sept 8, 2025
- What does a typical day look like in Kindergarten?
Sample Schedule A
Sample Schedule B
- What are the class sizes and teacher-to-student ratios?
- Average class size can vary based on enrollment and student needs.
- Teacher-to-student ratio: 12.2 to 1 (According to DESE)
- General targets the district aims for:
Kindergarten: Up to 25 students per class
If a kindergarten class has 20 or more students, a full-time teaching assistant is typically added to help support the classroom.
The number of students with special needs in a class is also considered when determining class size and whether extra support is needed.
Elementary Grades (1–5): Classes aim to have no more than 25 students.
Middle & High School: Teachers typically work with a total of up to 125 students per week for most subjects.English teachers are capped at 100 students per week to allow for more time to support writing and feedback.
Elementary Grades (1–5): Classes aim to have no more than 25 students.
Middle & High School: Teachers typically work with a total of up to 125 students per week for most subjects.English teachers are capped at 100 students per week to allow for more time to support writing and feedback.
Meals and Cafeteria
- What is the process for ordering school meals?
In Massachusetts, Breakfast and Lunch are provided free of charge to all students. There is no need to sign up or order in advance—your student can simply receive meals at school.
If you have any specific dietary concerns or questions, please feel free to contact the Food Service Department at 781-316-3641 or [email protected].
- What does a typical lunch look like?
Updated menus are posted on the Food Services Page at the beginning of each month.
- What are Breakfast Hours?
Students may arrive any time in the breakfast window to get breakfast.
Elementary: 7:30 - 8:00AM (includes morning care)
Gibbs & Ottoson: 8:00 - 8:25AM
AHS: 8:00-9:00AM
- Are snacks and lunches provided or packed?
In Massachusetts, free breakfast and lunch are provided at school for all students. However, families are asked to send snacks from home each day.
- Are there policies around food allergies?
- Please view the APS Life Threatening Allergy Protocols
- The above form and all other allergy related forms and procedures can be found on the Documents & Forms Page of our Health & Nursing Services Department.
- How do you request allergy free food?
If you have any specific dietary concerns or questions, please feel free to contact the Food Service Department at 781-316-3641 or [email protected].
Logistics
- What are the drop-off and pick-up procedures?
Drop-off and pick-up procedures can be different at each school. Your student’s school will share specific information with you before the school year begins. If you have questions, you can also contact the school’s main office.
- Why are there ½ day Wednesdays?
Half days are built into the school calendar for teacher training, conferences with families, and planning time.
- How does dismissal to aftercare work?
Dismissal to aftercare can vary by school and by the after-school program your student is enrolled in. Your school and the aftercare provider will share details about where and how students are dismissed. If you're unsure, reach out to your student’s school or aftercare program for more information.
- What transportation options are available (buses, after school care shuttles)?
Arlington Public Schools provides limited transportation services. Not all schools offer district-provided transportation—only certain schools and programs currently have options in place:
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- Preschool & Special Education Programs: Transportation is arranged directly through the Special Education Department. No action is needed from families.
- Bishop Elementary School: Families must register for transportation each year.
- Gibbs School: 6th-grade students who live two or more miles away are eligible for bus service. Others may apply and be placed on a waitlist, with a chance to receive a seat for a fee. MBTA reimbursement is also available as an option.
- Ottoson Middle School (East Arlington only): Families can apply through a transportation lottery. Ottoson will send out lottery applications prior to the start of the school year.
- Preschool & Special Education Programs: Transportation is arranged directly through the Special Education Department. No action is needed from families.
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Please note: Schools not listed here do not currently offer district-provided transportation.
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- After-School Care Shuttles: These vary by program and are not offered by the district. Families should contact their student’s school or aftercare provider directly to ask if shuttle service is available.
- METCO Program: Schools include Dallin, Pierce, Hardy, Ottoson, Gibbs, and Arlington High School
- After-School Care Shuttles: These vary by program and are not offered by the district. Families should contact their student’s school or aftercare provider directly to ask if shuttle service is available.
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For more info visit the APS Transportation Department web page.
- Why are there two end-of-school dates listed (like Day 180 and Day 185)?
The school year includes 185 days on the calendar, but students are only required to attend 180 days. The extra days are built in just in case we have to close school for things like snow days or other emergencies. If we don’t use all the extra days, the school year ends on Day 180.
Absences
The state considers a student chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year. This is 18 or more days in a standard 180 day academic calendar. On average, 2 missed days a month.
- What counts as an excused absence, and do excused absences affect my student’s attendance record?
The term “excused absence” is used by the state, but it can be confusing. Families often believe that excused absences don’t count—but all absences, including excused ones, are reported to the state and count toward your student’s overall attendance record. This includes days missed for illness, travel, or family emergencies.
- When is an absence due to illness considered excused?
*All absences, even excused will still count towards your students' attendance record.
Only illness-related absences that are approved by the school nurse—typically with a doctor’s note—are marked as excused in the system. Even if you call in to let us know your student is sick, that absence won’t be marked as excused unless it meets those criteria.
- What if I need to take my student out of school for a few hours during the day?
- If your student attends at least 50% of the school day, they will be marked present. If they attend less than half, they will be marked absent, even if the reason is a medical or personal appointment.
- Please be sure to notify your school office if your student needs to leave early or arrive late. All absences—full or partial—are reported to the state.
If you are in need of attendance support please reach out to the APS Resource & Welcome Center! [email protected]
Health and Safety
What is the illness policy?
APS has specific illness guidelines to protect the well-being of students and staff. Students should remain at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Uncontrollable or productive cough Fever over 100.4°F within the past 24 hours
- Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
- Sore throat accompanied by swollen glands
- Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
- Earache, severe headache, or drainage from the eyes
- For more detailed information, please refer to the APS Illness Guidelines.
Are there mental health resources or counselors?
Each elementary school has at least one school counselor and in most cases at our larger schools have two full-time counselors.
Curriculum and Learning
How do middle school students receive their schedules, and how are class placements like math, language, or electives decided for new students?
Class schedules are typically shared with families before the start of the school year. For new students, placement in courses like math and world language is based on prior school records and conversations with the school team.
Class schedules are typically shared with families before the start of the school year. For new students, placement in courses like math and world language is based on prior school records and conversations with the school team.
What is the class placement process for new students transferring to Arlington High School?
After a new student is registered AHS counselors will review your student's transcripts, report cards, and any standardized test scores to assess their academic background. School Counselors then work with students to choose the right number of required and elective classes based on their needs. View AHS Course Level Guidelines for more detailed information.
* more information to be provided
Transition to School
What if my student is advanced or needs additional support?
If you have concerns about your student needing additional support or being ready for more advanced work, the first step is to speak with your student’s teacher. They can provide insight into your student’s progress and learning needs. You can also connect with the school principal to explore available resources and support options.
If you have concerns about your student needing additional support or being ready for more advanced work, the first step is to speak with your student’s teacher. They can provide insight into your student’s progress and learning needs. You can also connect with the school principal to explore available resources and support options.
*more information to be provided
Parent Involvement
What opportunities exist for parent involvement during the year?
Every year the Welcome Center publishes a Family Partnership Guidebook that provides resources for ways to connect with your student’s school. This guidebook is currently being update for the 25-26 school year.
Every year the Welcome Center publishes a Family Partnership Guidebook that provides resources for ways to connect with your student’s school. This guidebook is currently being update for the 25-26 school year.
Are there parent-teacher conferences?
Yes, parent-teacher conferences are typically held twice a year - once in the fall and once in the spring. These conferences are scheduled as early release days to provide time for meetings between parents and teachers. Specific dates for each school level can be found in the district and respective grade level calendars on our website.
After-School Care & Activities
What after-school programs are offered? How can we plan for aftercare?
- After-school program offerings vary by school. Programs available at each school are listed on the After-School Programs Page on our website.
- You can also find additional after-care resources in our Community Resource Sheet.
Are there organized sports, band, or clubs offered at the elementary school level?
The district does not offer organized extracurriculars like sports teams, band, or clubs at the elementary school level; there are many recreational opportunities available in the Arlington community. You can find local recreation programs in our Community Resource Sheet.
How will families who submitted for after school care be alerted of the results of the afterschool lottery?
Families will be notified of the afterschool lottery results directly by the after school program provider. Notifications are typically sent via email, so please be sure to check the inbox (and spam/junk folder) associated with your registration. For specific questions or follow-up, you may contact the after school program's office directly.
Technology & Systems
How do we access PowerSchool?
- Before the school year begins, you will receive an email from your assigned school with instructions on how to set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal (SIS). Please follow the directions in that email to access your account.
- Please note that the PowerSchool Parent Portal is different from the PowerSchool Enrollment Platform that is solely utilized during registration. Only once your student is assigned to a school, the school will contact you with your specific login for powerschool SIS.
Are there guidelines for tech use at school?
Guidelines and tech resources are outlined in our APS Acceptable Use Policy.
Guidelines and tech resources are outlined in our APS Acceptable Use Policy.
How do high school students get a school-issued computer, and do most students use them or bring their own?
- AHS is a "One to One" school and students are expected to bring a computer to the school every day. While some students choose to bring their own laptops, most students use the device provided by the school since it's already set up with the necessary tools and supports for schoolwork.
- Review Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) information for parents
- Request a school issued device through your counselor or by contacting the Main Office.
What policies are in place to protect students' identities when photos or student work are posted on social media?
During the registration process in the PowerSchool Enrollment Portal, families are asked to complete a "Release of Information and Permissions" section.
This includes specific questions about whether the district may:
This includes specific questions about whether the district may:
- Use the student’s name, photo, video, or school work on district websites or newsletters
- Share student media or work with classmates’ families
- Publish student information in local press or external media Include the student’s contact information in school directories
- Share information with MassHealth (with separate consent)
Families have the option to grant or deny permission for each item. After a student is enrolled, these permissions can be reviewed and updated at any time through the PowerSchool Parent Portal (SIS). These consent choices ensure that student identities and work are only shared with proper authorization.
Are there limits on student(s) bringing their own devices to school? Smartphones and smartwatches?
School specific policies are available in School Handbooks.