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These three concepts for George Mason Elementary School going to Alexandria School Board

By James Cullum
1/28

 

Three conceptual designs for George Mason Elementary School will be unveiled Thursday and the School Board will have a little more than a month before endorsing a plan.

The school system is planning on two years of construction to reopen the building for students by the end of summer 2027.

The preliminary concepts determine the site layout and massing, and narrow down the site considerations.

The designs for the two-story building (2601 Cameron Mills Road) were created by D.C-based VMDO Architects. The original school was built in 1939, and due to facility conditions, the entire school will be replaced and students will spend two years in swing space at 1703 N. Beauregard Street.

According to ACPS:

The three options being presented at this meeting are Option T: Forest Glade, Option A: Open Heart, and Option U: Pavilions. Currently, all options are approximately 108,448 square feet and are in alignment with the ACPS Educational Specifications. All options also seek to preserve the historic frontage as well as maintain George Mason Park and enhance the open space offerings in the park. All options are two stories as is the most desirable option for all the goals ACPS has for this project in terms of sustainability, safety, and meeting the educational needs of students.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.