Arlington Considers Building a New Secondary School

Arlington Public Schools and County officials announced APS will be holding onto a property on Wilson Boulevard after all, and will look into building a new school there.

The property, in the western Rosslyn area, could be the site of a new elementary school for up to 1,300 students, according to information from County officials.

“This decision demonstrates the continued priority both boards place on using our limited public land to meet the school division’s future capital needs and to provide open space for the community,” said School Board Chair Abby Raphael.

The property is part of the Western Rosslyn Area Planning Study (WRAPS), which includes several other properties in the area. 

The decision to keep the Wilson Boulevard property may give a kickstart to the WRAPS planning process, which has been on hold. The new WRAPS process will be completed alongside the Rosslyn Second Plan Update – Realize Rosslyn process. 

Part of the reason for considering a school in these plans is due to projected continuing increases in school enrollment in Arlington. Since 2006, enrollment has increased by 26 percent. There are now 23,717 students enrolled in Arlington Public Schools, and enrollment could be more than 30,000 by 2024, according to data from the More Seats for More Students initiative.

Do you think a Arlington should build a new secondary school in Rosslyn? Tell us in the comments.