George Mason Elementary Design Concept Endorsed By School Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA — George Mason Elementary School is next up on Alexandria City Public Schools' facility modernization efforts, and the School Board has endorsed a design concept.

On Thursday, the Alexandria School Board voted to choose Option A/Open Heart design for George Mason Elementary School. ACPS is planning a full reconstruction of the elementary school, which dates back to 1939.

According to a presentation to the school board, the Open Heart design features a large secure courtyard central to the school, indoor and outdoor communal spaces and gym and dining areas close to play areas. ACPS said one benefit of the design is short travel distances inside the building, which can help with teachers and transitions to other rooms.

Option A calls for a 63,575-square-foot building, which is above the current 54,178-square-foot building footprint. It is the largest square footage of the three design concepts presented to the school board. On the other hand, it has the least public open space — 297,855 square feet compared to the current 327,760 square feet. ACPS plans to have a future community meeting during the design process to discuss open space.

Community feedback through meetings and an online poll found 42 percent like the Open Heart concept and 33 percent dislike it. There were 36 and 37 percent who liked the alternative Option U/Pavilions and Option T/Forest Glade, respectively. Results were mixed on the community preference for a concept, with 35.4 percent each choosing the Open Heart and Pavilions concepts and 29.1 perent choosing Forest Glade.

The project timeline calls for schematic design to begin in the fall. ACPS is working to complete a swing space at 1703 N. Beauregard Street by spring 2025 so the school can relocate during the construction process. Construction is estimated to start in summer 2025 and wrap up in summer 2027.