Applications for the Fall 2026 City Academy are now open.

Throughout the Academy, participants will complete a Civic Engagement Portfolio that documents their participation in City government and the broader Alexandria community. Activities may include attending a City Council, Board or Commission meeting; participating in a City engagement opportunity; volunteering at a City-sponsored activity; submitting comments on a City initiative; or connecting with a City department or community organization.

Participants will also work together on a capstone project focused on a real community challenge, developing practical, community-informed recommendations to share with City leadership.

Academy takes place for seven Thursday evenings, October 1 through November 17, from 6-8 p.m. Applications are due by Friday, September 18 at 11:59 p.m.

Email CityAcademy@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3965 for additional information.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Genevieve Blevins at genevieve.blevins@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3965, Virginia Relay 711.

Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2026 session. Apply today!

To qualify for the City Academy, applicants must be residents of the City of Alexandria and at least 18 years old. To encourage an engaged class representative of Alexandria as a whole, the following criteria may be considered when evaluating applications, in order of priority:

• Whether the applicant is an employee of the City of Alexandria.
• Whether the attendee can commit to attending all seven meetings.
• Geographic distribution of applicants, to help provide the opportunity to residents from all areas of the City.
• Answers provided to the questions “Why do you want to participate in the City Academy?” and “What do you hope to gain/learn from participation in the City Academy?”
• The order the applications are received.

City Academy participants won't just sit in a classroom. Civic participation is built into the program. Each week, participants will explore a different aspect of local government and civic life, including:

• Civic Leadership & Local Government: Understand how Alexandria’s government operates and the roles of elected officials and City staff.
• How Decisions Are Made: Explore City Council, public hearings, boards and commissions, ordinances, and resolutions.
• Budgeting & City Priorities: Learn how the City develops its budget and turns community priorities into action.
• Planning & Alexandria’s Future: Explore land use, housing, transportation, sustainability, and infrastructure.
• Public Safety & Community Well-Being: Learn how City departments work together to keep Alexandria safe and support community well-being.
• Community Engagement & Public Participation: Develop skills for constructive dialogue, effective advocacy, and meaningful participation in local government.
• From Learning to Leadership: Apply what you’ve learned to a real community challenge, share recommendations with City leadership, and identify ways to stay engaged after graduation.

• 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