After coasting through the Planning Commission, plans to modernize George Mason Elementary School are heading to City Council for this Saturday (May 17).
Alexandria City Public Schools is hoping to cut the ribbon on the new two-story building in the summer of 2027. The project will keep the original 1939 building, although ACPS plans to demolish a majority of the existing school and replace it with a two-story structure for a capacity of 670 students and 80 teachers and staff.
ACPS is planning on moving school staff and students three-and-a-half miles away at the end of this school year to swing space 1703 N. Beauregard Street.
According to the city:
ACPS and the design team are proposing a modernized 2-story building that meets future school needs for increased capacity, while preserving the character of the existing school, open spaces and landscaping. The design will preserve the existing 1939 school building and front yard area.
Utilizing a mix of brick, glass and natural colors, the 2-story building behind the original façade will continue a design that blends with the surrounding residential neighborhood but allows for modern sustainability and functionality needs. This includes an interior courtyard in the center of the building that allows light into the interior classrooms, a second courtyard between the cafeteria and gymnasium wings merges into the larger open space at the rear of the school.
