Fall 2026 Enrichment Update: New Languages, New Registration Process, and APS Facility Fees
The schedule for PTA-Sponsored Fall 2026 After-School Enrichment is now available. Registration begins on Friday, September 11 at 7am on a first-come first-served basis (no lottery period).
I wanted to give you the full picture of what's changing this year and why — including a new APS policy that's affected our planning more than we'd like, the rationale for changing how registration will work this fall (no lottery), and details of our exciting new after-school language offerings.
None of this would have come together without our amazing volunteer PTA Enrichment Coordinators, Liz Clarke-Glynn and Domanique Herring, who jumped in with enormous consideration and time — working closely with me, Baroody, and ASFS administration — to find a balance of STEM, arts, sports, languages, and more. Liz and Domanique, thank you both so much for your hard work and care on behalf of our community.
How It Works
At dismissal, students enrolled in a Baroody enrichment class go from their classroom to the ASFS library to meet their instructor.
If enrolled in Extended Day PM, students are checked-in to Extended Day after their class ends.
If not in Extended Day PM, students are to be picked up from ASFS at 4:55pm at the end of their after-school enrichment class.
The APS Facility Fee Issue
Last year, Arlington Public Schools adopted a new policy (Policy K-7) that, for the first time, charges a facility rental fee for Baroody enrichment classes to use school space after hours. We didn't take this quietly. ASFS PTA joined forces with other APS PTAs to push back on this policy, sharing data on how much it would actually cost our families and asking the district to reconsider.
In response, Superintendent Francisco Durán responded directly. The good news: APS agreed to reclassify providers like Baroody into a lower fee category, cutting the originally proposed facility charge roughly in half. We appreciate that adjustment. That said, we're not done raising concerns. This fee isn't tied to any new / actual costs. It’s our understanding that the custodial staff and ASFS school facilities aren't receiving any additional funding. This fee is simply floating the general APS budget. We think that it’s worth continuing to push back on, and we will.
In the meantime, the ASFS PTA has:
Capped the facility fee passed on to our families to $40 for indoor classes (except Intermediate Spanish, held twice a week, will be $80). There is no facility fee for outdoor classes held at Hayes Park. The PTA will subsidize the difference to make sure that enrichment remains as affordable as possible for our families.
Ensured that the fee is handled transparently: the schedule lists all fees separately so you can see exactly what you're paying and why.
Ensured that Baroody will credit or refund the facility fee if APS ultimately doesn't collect this fee or collects less than expected.
What's New This Fall
New after-school language programs. We're excited to launch a full slate of after-school language options this fall — one offered each day of the week: Beginner Spanish, French, Mandarin, each once a week, and Intermediate Spanish meeting twice a week.
No lottery this year. Because finalizing the facility fee and related Baroody contract details took longer than expected, our enrichment scheduling got pushed back. Rather than delay the start of the fall session any further, I made the call to skip the lottery process this year. Registration will be first-come, first-served. We looked at last year's data and found that only 4 students across the entire year were affected by classes hitting their maximum size, so we don't expect this to meaningfully change most families' experience. I'd encourage you to register as soon as registration opens rather than waiting. Once a class hits its maximum capacity, students will be placed on a waitlist.
As always, the PTA’s goal is to keep enrichment programming affordable, transparent, and available to every family who wants it — including through our scholarship program for families who need financial support. If you have questions about any of this, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Ankita Singh
President, Arlington Science Focus School PTA president@asfspta.org
