Alexandria Unveils Long-Range School Plan to Tackle Capacity and Age Issues
Alexandria's educational facilities are facing capacity and age-related issues, prompting the city and college board to collaborate on an updated long-range school facilities plan. The process, expected to take several years and involve significant community engagement, aims to address overcrowding and infrastructure decay.
The current 2015 Long Range Educational Facilities Plan recommended constructing a new middle school, but this remains unfulfilled. The updated plan aims to integrate city and college board planning more closely. Some middle schools are operating at over 120% capacity, while several elementary buildings are nearing the end of their useful life, with some approaching 90 years old.
Officials have expressed support for creative solutions, such as co-locating different school levels on the same property. However, they acknowledge that redistricting alone cannot solve the overcrowding and infrastructure issues. In October, ACPS will present information about middle school capacity and land acquisition options to the School Board. The planning process will examine how small area plans throughout the city could accommodate college board sites.
Alexandria City Council and college board members have agreed to update the city's long-range school facilities plan. The process, which could take several years, will require significant community engagement. The goal is to address the pressing needs of the city's educational facilities, ensuring they meet the demands of a growing student population and maintain a safe, functional learning environment.
