School Profile

Photos from: Grimm – Parker Architects and Hess Construction

The Community

Arlington, Virginia is an urban/suburban, largely residential community located just west of Washington, D.C. It is a county which prides itself on the excellence of its schools. Arlington Public Schools receive strong support from parents, citizens and the county government. In addition, there is close cooperation between the school system and community businesses and services.

The School

Washington-Liberty is a public high school, grades 9-12. The school opened in September of 1924, and graduated its first class in 1925. Our highly diverse student population offers a broad world perspective and fosters an enriched learning environment. Washington-Liberty is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

The Students

Student Population

Racial and Ethnic Diversity
(Based on Federal Reporting Categories)

 9th Graders  658
 10th Graders  612
 11th Graders  548
 12th Graders  564
 Total  2,382
 American Indian/Alaska Native  0.20 %
 Asian  10.1 %
 Black/African American  8.00 %
 Hispanic  30.9 %
 Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander  0.20 %
 White  44.6 %
 Multiple races  6.20 %

34.15% Economically Disadvantaged

School Administration

  • Mr. Antonio Hall, Principal
  • Mr. Miles Carey, Asst. Principal
  • Ms. Timica Shivers, Asst. Principal
  • Mr. Paul Jamelske, Asst. Principal
  • Mrs. Carmen De La Cruz Scales, Asst. Principal
  • Mrs. Jessica Gregory, Director of Counseling Services
  • Mrs. Carol Callaway, Director of Student Activities
  • Mr. Justin Bolfek, Asst. Director of Student Activities
  • Mrs. Julie Cantor, IB Coordinator

Technology

Students are loaned a MacBook upon joining our high school to use for educational purposes while the entire school is equipped with WiFi capabilities. Classrooms are also equipped with flat Panel TVs and Apple TV capabilities. The library, publications room, business education and technical education rooms all serve the purpose of fostering a positive learning environment. W-L has a student-operated broadcasting studio which is used to produce the morning announcements to all classrooms on our closed circuit television channel. The announcements run continuously during the day on monitors in the cafeteria, hallway and main office. A technologically advanced distance-learning classroom in our school allows classes to be offered live at the school and broadcast on cable TV to students in other schools and to individuals watching from their homes.

Special Programs

Washington-Liberty High School provides many unique learning opportunities for the varied needs of its students. Among them are the International Baccalaureate Programme, gifted services programs, Independent Study, Special Education, and High Intensity Language Training. The Arlington Career Center provides CTE and vocational education and training in many career fields and upper level technology and medical related courses. Many of these courses lead to certification in specialty areas.

Advanced Course Offerings

IB Course Offerings

Group 1: Language A

•English A Lit HL

•English A Lang & Lit SL

Group 2: Language B

•Arabic AB SL  (AB Initio)

•French B HL, SL

•French AB SL (Ab initio)

•Latin HL, SL

•Mandarin B HL, SL

•Mandarin AB SL (Ab initio)

•Spanish B HL, SL

•Spanish AB SL (Ab initio)

Group 3: Individual & Soc.

•Business & Mgt. SL

•Economics SL

•Geography SL

•History HL

•Philosophy SL

•Psychology SL, HL

•Social Anthropology

Group 4: Exper. Sciences

•Biology SL,HL

•Chemistry

•Computer Science HL

•Design Technology SL

•Environmental Systems SL

• Sports, Exercise & Health Sci SL

•Physics SL

Group 5: Mathematics

•Math A&A HL, SL

•Math A&I SL

Group 6: Arts

•Film SL, HL

•Theater HL, SL

•Visual Arts HL, SL

The Core

•IB Core/Theory of Knowledge

AP Course Offerings

•Art History
•Studio Art: Drawing
•Studio Art: 2 D
•Studio Art: 3D
•Biology
•AB Calculus
•BC Calculus
•Chemistry
•Computer Science A
•English Language
•English Literature
•European History
•French
•German
•US Government
•Latin
•Physics (Electricity and Magnetism)
•Physics (Mechanics)
•Psychology
•Spanish Language
•Spanish Literature
•Statistics
•US History
•World History

Dual Enrollment Offerings

• Advanced Topics in Information Technology
•Digital Photography III
•Geospatial Systems
•Linear Algebra (Math 285)
• Math 151/152
•Teachers for Tomorrow
•Vector Calculus (Math 277)

Diploma Requirements

Standard Diploma – 22 credits

English 4
World History 1
VA-US History 1
VA-US Government 1
Health and Physical Education 2
Mathematics (must include Alg I and above) 3
Lab Science 3
Fine/Practical Arts 1
Electives 6

Advanced Studies Diploma – 24/25 credits

English 4
World History 1
VA-US History 1
VA-US Government 1
Additional Social Studies 1
Health and Physical Education 2
Mathematics
(must include Alg I and 3 levels above)
4
Lab Science 4
Foreign Language
(3 years of one or 2 years each of two)
3
Fine/Practical Arts 1
Electives 2

Counseling Services and Career Personnel

  • Ms. Theresa Gentile, Counselor
  • Ms. Bridgette Wanzer – McCoy, Counselor
  • Ms. Atiya Rehman, Counselor
  • Mrs. Nichole McCullough, Counselor
  • Mr. Ronald Valdez, Counselor
  • Ms. Irma Medrano, Counselor
  • Ms. Jessica Osher, Counselor
  • Mrs. Laura Smithgall, Counselor
  • Ms. Zarin Kapadia, Counselor
  • Mrs. Heather Mizell, Counselor
  • Ms. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Palmer, Counselor
  • Mr. Alain Poutre, Counselor
  • Mrs. Meaghan Traverse, Counselor
  • Ms. Brittnee Stephens, Social Worker
  • Ms. Colleen Greenwood, Social Worker
  • Mrs. Maria Luisa Ceballos, Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Ms. Elysse Catino, Career Education Specialist
  • Mr. James Sample, Equity & Excellence Coordinator
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Burgos, Gifted Services Coordinator
  • Dr. Rica Weiner, School Psychologist
  • Ms. Lori Ockerman, School Psychologist