School districts around the D.C. region are in the process of announcing plans for the upcoming school year.

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This article was last updated on Dec. 11.

School districts around the Washington region have largely gone all-virtual for the academic year’s start — hiccups and all — though some have proposed blended models in which students spend some days at home and some days at school for later in the term. This is causing heated debates among parents, educators, and school leaders as stakeholders consider the pros and cons of reopening during the pandemic, the actual logistics of ensuring schools are meeting virtual learning requirements, and the effects of remote learning on the students themselves.

Here’s what we know so far about the plans for each public school district in the Washington region. This list will be updated regularly, but check your school’s website for the most recent information.

D.C.

D.C. Public Schools: Students began the school year Aug. 31 completely online and will continue through Nov. 6, the end of the Term 1 grading period.

DCPS began Term 2 on Nov. 9. It intends to stagger reopening elementary schools (PK3 through fifth grade) for in-person instruction — one class per grade, with a teacher leading a class of up to 11 students. It will also begin supervised virtual instruction in small-group CARE (Canvas Academics and Real Engagement) classrooms, overseen by “a caring adult who is not their teacher.” These students will meet five days a week with half-days on Wednesdays.

Middle- and high-school students “will continue with the learning at home model through Jan. 29, with a possible transition to in-person learning at the start of Term 3,” according to the District.

Remote learning will still be available for all students from pre-K through 12th grade.

Student selection for these in-person options will be randomized, though DCPS “will prioritize classroom seats for elementary students with the highest need based on current enrollment information.” Siblings attending the same school will receive preference in the process to keep them on the same schedule, where possible. Children of teachers and staff scheduled to work in person are guaranteed seats if the child attends a DCPS school.

The priority groups are:

  • Students experiencing homelessness​
  • Students who receive special education services or who are English Language Learners​
  • Students who are designated “At-Risk​”
  • All other enrolled students ​

Families were notified by Oct. 23 about their eligibility for in-person learning.

Charter schools: D.C.’s charters are each making the decision for themselves.

Maryland

University of Maryland: On Nov. 11, UMD announced that it was pausing its football program and canceling at least one scheduled game after eight players tested positive for COVID-19. On Friday, Nov. 13, the school as a whole announced that it would be transitioning undergraduate courses to fully online instruction by Monday, Nov. 16, for the remainder of fall semester.


Anne Arundel: As reported in the Capital Gazette, Anne Arundel was tentatively preparing for a phased reopening of elementary schools in November. However, Superintendent George Arlotto has halted reopening plans in October due to a lack of school board support. Until otherwise stated, public school students will generally continue virtual learning for the entire first semester of the 2020-21 school year. Classes began for all students on Sept. 8. The school district has set up a comprehensive FAQ section for students and families.

Charles: The school year began virtually on Aug. 31.

Howard: The school year began with 100% virtual instruction, which will stay in place through late January. The county Board of Education approved an initial version of the plan on July 16, according to the Baltimore Sun; HCPSS sent a revised version to the state on Sept. 17.

Montgomery: The largest school district in Maryland will start phasing students back for in-person learning starting Jan. 12, DCist/WAMU confirms. The first phase will primarily be students in special education programs and in Career and Technology Education programs, local officials say. However, most students will continue virtual-only instruction through the first semester, which ends Jan. 29 and will begin coming back on Feb. 1. It will be on a rotational schedule with reduced class sizes. This plan does hinge on metrics being met. Virtual classes started on Aug. 31 for the county’s nearly 163,000 public school students.

Prince George’s: School started Aug. 31 and will be all virtual through January, with the possibility of in-person learning beginning in February. The school’s leadership will reassess its plans in December.

Virginia

Arlington: APS is monitoring current COVID-19 case levels and will adjust in-person instruction as needed, according to the district’s website. Arlington Public Schools began with all-virtual instruction on Sept. 8. Per the district’s five-level plan, a small group of students with disabilities will be the first to receive in-person instruction beginning in October. Pre-K through third graders, English-learner students, career and technical education students, and others with Individualized Education Plans will return in November for a hybrid of in-person and online instruction.

Alexandria: City schools started remote learning Sept. 8 on the “Virtual PLUS+” model, which calls for every student to be equipped with a tablet or Chromebook. School district officials completed a survey of students and teachers asking about Virtual PLUS+ and reopening for in-person instruction. On Nov. 23 the school board voted to go back to online-only learning until January at the earliest, in light of the uptick in COVID cases and insufficient staff to carry out plans for more face-to-face instruction.

Fairfax: WTOP reported on Dec. 11 that the county plans to start in-person learning in mid-January.FCPS started with virtual learning for all students, and an Oct. 5 video from Superintendent Scott Brabrand discussed the beginning of phased, in-person learning for select student cohorts. Families may continue to opt for full-time virtual instruction or a mixed on-site and online model as the reopening stages advance through the 2020-21 year.

Falls Church: The city will continue virtual learning at least until the new year, according to a Dec. 2 statement. Previously, it began welcoming its first wave of students for in-person instruction on Oct. 6, and it currently plans on phasing in kindergarten and third grade students on Nov. 10.

Loudoun: The county will move completely to distance learning starting Tuesday, Dec. 15, due to rising COVID-19 case numbers.

Manassas: Manassas City Schools started the school year virtually. The school board will review public health data every month to determine when it’s safe to offer in-person instruction.

Manassas Park: The Manassas Park City School Board will review health data monthly with the goal of returning to in-person learning when it’s deemed safe.

Prince William: Due to the moderate-high risk level, PWC has prioritized in-person instruction for select student cohorts according to Virginia Department of Health guidelines. Virtual learning remains in effect.

This story has been updated to reflect the most recent school reopening plans. Debbie Truong contributed reporting to this story. 

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