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From vaping, the cost of school supplies to cellphone policies, the WTOP team is studying up on hot-button topics in education across the D.C. region. Follow on air and online in our series “WTOP Goes Back to School” this August and September.

The end of the summer is quickly approaching and it’s almost time to pack the backpacks and lunch bags again.

Here’s what to know about what’s new in D.C.-area school systems this year.

DC

DC Public Schools 

Number of schools: 117

Total enrollment: 51,294

First Day: Aug. 26

What to know: 

• The school system is entering the second year of the 6th grade academy initiative. The academies work to ensure a smooth transition to middle school.
• D.C. Public Schools plans to strengthen partnerships with area universities to expand dual enrollment and college course options for students.
• The school system implemented the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s new Social and Emotional Learning standards, which aim to help students learn to manage emotions and resolve conflicts.
• It will also implement OSSE’s new financial literacy standards, with the goal of helping students prepare for life after high school.

Maryland

Frederick County Public Schools

Number of schools: 69 last year

Total enrollment: 48,905 projected

First Day: Aug. 21

What to know:

• The district is establishing a work group to study school start times, The Frederick News-Post reported.

Montgomery County Public Schools

Number of schools: 210

Total enrollment: 160,770 last year

First Day: Aug. 26

What to know:

• It’s the first year that new Superintendent Thomas Taylor will run Montgomery County Public Schools.
• Pickleball is becoming a varsity sport this fall.
• The district’s Virtual Academy has been cut as part of the budget the school division passed in the spring.

Prince George’s County Public Schools

Number of schools: 202 last year

Total enrollment: 131,325 last year

First Day: Aug. 26

What to know: 

• Some schools are getting new start times this fall.
• The school system is promising more reliable transportation after some buses were either late or in some cases didn’t show up at all last school year.

Howard County Public Schools 

Number of schools: 78

Total enrollment: 57,633 last year

First Day: Aug. 26

• This fall, the school system is assessing students use of cell phones. Under current policy, personal devices are supposed to be off and put away during the school day.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools 

Number of schools: 129, according to AACPS Transportation

Total enrollment: 84,346 last year

First Day: Aug. 26 or 27, depending on grade level

Virginia 

Arlington Public Schools

Number of schools: 42

Total enrollment: 27,536

First Day: Aug. 26

City of Alexandria Public Schools

Number of schools: 18

Total enrollment: 16,439 last year 

First Day: Aug. 19

What to know: 

• The school system plans to fully adopt the academies model at Alexandria City High School. It will allow thousands of students to participate in small learning communities based on their interests.
• Public schools in Alexandria are focused on creating a policy and plan for collective bargaining.
• Alexandria is working toward establishing the school system’s next strategic plan.

Fairfax County Public Schools

Number of schools: 199

Total enrollment: 180,970 last year

First Day: Aug. 19

What to know: 

• The school system will implement select early release Mondays for elementary schools, to enable teachers to finish state-mandated trainings.
• Some middle schools will participate in a cellphone pilot program. Students will put their phones in a pouch that won’t be able to be opened until the end of the day.
• Fairfax County Public Schools will implement updated Standards of Learning from Virginia’s Department of Education.
• The county’s new athletics offerings include varsity boys’ volleyball and varsity girls’ wrestling.
• Staff members are now eligible for maternity and paternity leave.

Loudoun County Public Schools

Number of schools: Opening 99th and 100th schools this year

Total enrollment: 82,028

First Day: Aug. 22 

What to know: 

• Ten elementary schools are starting later beginning this school year in Loudoun County.
• Schools will be closed for four extra days so teachers can finish trainings.
• Updated cellphone use plan are scheduled to go into effect in Loudoun County Public Schools.
• The district’s first primary school, Henrietta Lacks Elementary School, will open this fall, offering kindergarten through second grade.
• An alternative school, North Star School, will also open.
• New Health and Medical Sciences program, HAMSci, will open at Tuscarora High School.

Prince William County Public Schools

Number of schools: 99

Total enrollment: As of May, 91,739 for pre-K through 12th grade

First Day: Aug. 19

What to know: 

• As part of an update to device rules, cellphones will be prohibited during instructional time.
• Many students will have new bus stops as part of a change to the transportation system. Routes will be made available Aug. 12.
• Students at 24 more schools will have access to free breakfast and lunch.
• The school system is adding another human trafficking prevention specialist.
• Prince William County Public School has partnered with Hazel Health to offer mental health services for all students at no cost to families. Families will have to opt in to the program.

Stafford County Public Schools 

Number of schools: 33

Total enrollment: 32,000

First Day: Aug. 13 

What to know: 

• Cellphones have to be off and away during the whole instructional day for all grade levels.
• A new app, MyRide K-12. will identify buses by route numbers.
• The school system introduced specialty centers at three high schools.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools

Number of schools: 5

Total enrollment: 3,532 students

First Day: Aug. 6

What to know:

• Fredericksburg City Public Schools’ students are the first in the region to head back to school. Classes start on Aug. 6.
• Under a new policy, cell phones must be turned off and stored in pouches that lock during the school day. At the end of the day, students can unlock those pouches using a magnet.