City Academy participants will learn about the many responsibilities and functions of the City Government and the relationships between City Departments, the community, and partner agencies. During the nine-week program, the Academy's goal is to educate the public and increase awareness, provide an inside look into government operations, and develop a better understanding of their role in city government. This program will also prepare individuals for public service on a board, a commission, or a task force and learn about other ways to become involved and active in supporting the community. 

The classes run for seven weeks on Thursday evenings (6-8 p.m.) at various locations throughout the city beginning March 27, 2025.

Email CityAcademy@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3956 for additional information.

Week One: "Meet Your City"

This lesson will answer the basic questions of “Who is my City Government?” and “What Does My Government Do?” Participants will meet the "branches" of their government, including City leadership. They will learn about why the City implements taxes, and how those taxes benefit our residents and community each year. They will also learn about how the City supports and preserves its neighborhoods. 

Week Two: A Day in the Life of a Resident in the City of Alexandria

This lesson will introduce a local Alexandria family and walk through "A Day In Their Life." Participants will learn about trash pick-up and leaf collection, our fare-free transit, our public library services (beyond books!), how to report a non-emergency, and how the City and school system work together. From this lesson, participants will understand how the City is engrained in their daily lives without even knowing it! 

Week Three: What is the Historic and Cultural Impact of My City?

This lesson will walk through our significant role in the nation’s history, from the historic 1939 library sit-in to our status as a slave-trading hub. It will provide an active look at how the City recognizes and is sharing experiences of our community and offer a look inside present-day cultural opportunities for residents and families to enjoy.  

Week Four: How Does My City Stay Beautiful?

This lesson will share how the City is a great place to live and play. The City connects our residents through more than 90 acres of parks and dedicated public spaces and engages our residents and businesses through seasonal and innovative programming. Participants will learn not only how the City Government ensures beauty but how residents can also play a part.  

Week Five: How Does My City Keep Me Safe?

This lesson will introduce participants to the men and women who keep us safe every day. Our residents’ safety is holistic: not just on our roads, but in our schools, clinics, and hospitals. Participants will meet safety officers as well as our public and community health workers, and learn what resources are available to them and their families. 

Week Six: How Do Local and State Government Work?

This lesson will expand on our first lesson. Participants have learned how their City Government works over the past six weeks. Now they’ll have a chance to understand how their Local and State government play a role. Participants will meet with some local appointees and state elected officials, and learn how their roles represent our residents’ best interests. Further, they will learn how the City works with Richmond and Washington to advocate for residents and join our City's Registrar for an explanation of how elections in Alexandria work and how they can get involved. 

Week Seven: How Do I Get Involved in My City?

In our final lesson, participants will take the knowledge they’ve gained over the course of the academy and learn ways to invest it back into their areas of interest in the community. Participants will meet City and Partner organizations that provide varied levels of opportunities. 

• As a final evaluation, I truly found all of the presentation content to be informative and presenters to be enthusiastic. I learned more than I anticipated! I appreciate the opportunity to access the slides for further reference. While it would be been great to be in person, it was still a wonderful virtual session thanks to great management of the agenda:-) - Anonymous, Fall 2021
• The City Academy was a great opportunity to view all levels of our City government and services. More importantly, the Academy has empowered me as a citizen to lead from my corner of the City. - Claudette M