Schools

School Board Approves Final Design of New Elementary School in Williamsburg

Construction to begin in February of latest Arlington Public Schools facility.

The Arlington School Board has approved the final design of a new $46.5 million elementary school for its Williamsburg campus.

The as-yet named school includes 28 classrooms and will have the capacity of 630 students. Construction will begin in February and the school is slated to open in September 2015.

“We are very excited to have reached this milestone in our capital planning program. The community should be proud of this school and what it represents,” School Board Chairwoman Abby Raphael said in a statement. "It is the product of hard work and collaboration between APS, our County colleagues and the entire community, and will provide more seats for more students in a new and exciting learning environment. I look forward to September 2015 when our students, parents, staff and the community will enjoy this new school."

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The new facility is Arlington Public Schools' latest attempt to deal with rapid enrollment increases and overcrowding.

The new 97,000-square-foot elementary school will have a LEED Silver or higher energy certification, according to a news release. It's designed to reduce storm water runoff and save on operating costs.

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Along with the classrooms, the school will have a cafeteria and kitchen, two art rooms, three music rooms, a library, an administrative suite, special needs spaces, flexible classrooms, breakout spaces and a high school-sized gym floor.

Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette called approval of the design "a significant milestone for our community."

Collaboration between the school system and the county led to amenities such as two synthetic turf fields, a larger gym and enhanced public safety communications, he said in a statement.


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