Yorktown Profile

Yorktown High School is located in Arlington, Virginia. Arlington County is home to one of the nation’s most diverse and sophisticated student populations. Coming from countries around the world, Arlington students speak more than 104 different languages. They have ready access to a variety of cultural and academic resources in the county and in the nation’s capital, which is located just a short metro ride across the Potomac River. As a community of over 230,000 people, 75% of Arlington residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. This involved community actively supports Arlington Public Schools in cultivating inquiring minds, fostering social and emotional learning, and embracing equity with an appreciation of diverse cultures.

Arlington closed schools on March 13, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the 4th quarter of the 2019-2020 school year, students were given the opportunity to complete work to reinforce or enrich content taught through March. No new work was presented. Students who completed assigned work in the 4th quarter earned one letter grade higher for the year than the average they had at the end of the 3rd quarter. The 2020-2021 school year was completely online until March 2021. For the 20-21 school year, students attended class virtually Tue-Fri for 50 min. blocks of synchronous learning per class. Teachers assign an additional 30 minutes of asynchronous work for Mondays. Classes continued in a block schedule. Students were given the option to return in person, two days per week from March-June 2021. Students were all in-person 5 days/week or attend the Virtual Learning Program online for the 2021-2022 school year.

Yorktown High School is one of three comprehensive high schools in Arlington County for students in grades 9 through 12. Arlington County aims to be an inclusive community that empowers all students to foster their dreams, explore their possibilities, and create their futures The curriculum at Yorktown offers students an opportunity to study in preparation for college, military service, or the working world. Students may graduate with a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma. The curriculum also offers various levels of courses for students who choose to engage in challenging coursework. Courses designated as Standard, and Principles indicate that the curriculum highlights a global approach to the subject with an emphasis on applications. Courses designated as Intensified or Advanced indicate the subject is studied in-depth and at an accelerated pace. Courses are offered for Dual Enrollment (DE), which allows students who successfully complete the course to receive both high school and college credit. Students enrolled in the Advanced Placement (AP) courses are required to take the accompanying AP test. Students who successfully complete a DE or AP class earn an extra quality point which is computed into their GPA.

Total Student Population: (9th–12th) 2,116 

Grade 12: 490  Class of 2024

Grade 11: 566  Class of 2025

Grade 10: 550  Class of 2026

Grade 09: 511  Class of 2027

• Fully accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Ranked top 2% of Best College Prep Public High Schools in America by Niche Ranked #12 for Virginia’s Best Public High Schools by U.S. News and World Report Accredited by the state on the basis of exceeding a 70% passing rate on the Standards of Learning Exams 2018 State Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award Recipient
• Supports a diverse student body; both in ethnicity (Asian 8%, Black 5%, Hispanic 17%, Multi-Race 9%, White 61%, Other 1%) and in learning programs (Gifted 37%, Special Education 14%, Limited English Proficient 9%). School-wide program to promote the social and emotional growth of all students by Respecting Others, Community and Self (ROCS).
• Offers extra-curricular activities in 100 clubs and 28 interscholastic sports
• Yorktown Scholar Recognition: students are required to complete at least 6 college-level courses and earn final grades of B or higher in all classes (with a one-time exception of a C or C+ final grade in one class). All students who meet the coursework and grade requirements will be recognized as Yorktown Scholars at their graduation ceremony through the wearing of an honor cord
• 29 AP courses, 18 Advanced/Intensified courses, 4 Dual Enrollment courses
• 2022 Graduation Survey states 87% of our students plan to attend a 4-year college and 6% plan on attending a 2-year program, 3.5% plan on taking a gap year and 2.8% of our students plan on going directly into the workforce