At Arlington Classics Academy, leadership is more than a title—it’s a long-standing commitment to community, character, and a timeless approach to education. Each of ACA’s three principals—serving the Primary, Intermediate, and Middle School campuses—have each served as leaders at their respective campuses for over a decade, a rare continuity in modern education that speaks volumes about the school’s supportive culture. From kindergarten through eighth grade, families benefit from a consistent educational vision led by educators who are deeply invested in the success of their staff and students.
That trust in families naturally extends to the classroom. At ACA, we honor and respect the role parents play in their child’s education, and we extend that same respect to our teachers. By empowering educators to personalize learning in their classrooms, ACA fosters an environment where individualized learning, high expectations, and strong student growth are inseparable. We trust our teachers to lead with professionalism and purpose—because just like our families, they choose ACA for the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
As Primary Campus (grades K-2) Principal Melissa Fambrough, who has been with ACA since 2011, shares, “ACA has a way of capturing your heart. I believe in what we do here every day.” Her leadership is rooted in a passion for early literacy and a belief that the foundation laid in a child’s earliest years sets the tone for lifelong learning. She values the strong sense of community at ACA—families who partner with the school and share in the mission of high expectations and personal growth. “It’s about investing in people—teachers, families, and especially the kids,” she explains. This is best reflected in Mrs. Fambrough’s excitement at the start of each school year, welcoming new kindergarteners and helping families navigate their first steps in formal education. “I love being at the starting line again and knowing we’ll celebrate big milestones together by the end of the year.”
That sense of partnership is echoed at ACA Intermediate Campus (grades 3-5), where Principal Teri Rodgers has led since 2014. She describes her role as a bridge between parents, students, and teachers—a reflection of ACA’s “three-legged stool” philosophy, where all three groups work together to help students thrive. “Families choose ACA because they want more for their child,” Rodgers notes, “and that commitment makes all the difference.” That same commitment drives our belief in teacher autonomy: “By giving teachers autonomy, I am empowering them to lead the learning process, be innovative, and personalize how their students will master concepts and make personal growth.”
At the middle school level, Principal Yolonda Dawson (grades 6 – 8) has seen the full arc of student growth since joining in 2011. She believes that supporting teachers and giving them the autonomy to teach with purpose directly impacts student outcomes. “It encourages teachers to see their students as more than a test score,” she explains. Dawson is especially proud when former students return to share how ACA shaped them, not just academically, but personally.
“When they tell me they’re a better person because I’ve been in their life, that’s when I glow with ACA pride.” With such committed leadership, it’s no wonder the majority of ACA families begin their journey in kindergarten and stay through eighth grade, experiencing firsthand a school community where trust, consistency, and high expectations create a lasting impact.
For more than 25 years, Arlington Classics Academy has built something rare in education—a school where consistent leadership and strong family partnerships work hand in hand. The long-standing dedication of our principals and teachers creates a steady, supportive environment where students can thrive. It’s not just about how long someone has been
here—it’s about how deeply they care and how much they invest in the people around them. At ACA, leadership means showing up, building trust, and growing together. That’s what makes the difference—and why the impact lasts well beyond the classroom.