Alexandria Schools Announce New Snow Day Rules, Virtual Learning Options

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City Public Schools has updated its procedures for snow days and other weather-related closures, aiming for clearer and earlier communication with parents and adding built-in closure days to the school calendar.

The changes, announced Friday, apply to the 2026-27 school year and cover snow, ice, extreme cold, severe storms, high winds and power outages.

Under the new procedures, ACPS will use five color-coded operating statuses when alerting parents and staff of closures:

• Green: Schools and offices operate on their regular schedules.
• Yellow: Delayed opening. Schools and offices open two hours late.
• Orange: Early dismissal. Schools and offices close early. Afternoon and evening activities are canceled unless otherwise announced.
• Blue: Virtual learning: School buildings close, but students receive instruction online.
• Red: Full closure. Schools and offices close, and activities and programs on school grounds are canceled.

The district will aim to announce weather-related decisions by 6 p.m. the evening before a potential closure whenever forecasts allow. When conditions require a morning decision, officials will aim to announce it by 4:30 a.m.

ACPS's school calendar includes four designated closure days, but the district says it might opt to use virtual instruction days before using all four closure days.

Virtual instruction could include live online classes with teachers or independent assignments that students complete on a flexible schedule.

Decisions about virtual instruction will take into account internet and electricity availability, whether students and teachers have enough time to prepare and the expected duration of a closure, according to ACPS.

School officials will also consider road conditions; whether buses can operate safely; and whether parking lots, sidewalks and school entrances can be cleared in time.

ACPS coordinates with the City of Alexandria on snow removal and monitors neighboring school divisions' decisions. Approximately two-thirds of ACPS employees live outside Alexandria, making regional travel conditions a factor, ACPS notes.

Families will receive updates through ParentSquare, the district's website, social media, local news outlets and the ACPS Emergency Hotline.

Weather-related changes may also affect transportation, athletics, meals, field trips and before- and after-school programs. Families should check individual announcements for details about those services.

Parents can review the full procedures on the ACPS Inclement Weather and School Closure Information webpage.