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This page provides a high-level overview of updates to school facilities through the City’s Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget.a modern middle school is coming: constructions begins this summer

Middle School Modernization Approved!

After twenty years of discussion, work begins in June 2023 to modernize the current Buford Middle School facility. Thanks to City Council for their support. This project is the first major investment in Charlottesville City Schools facilities since the opening of Charlottesville High School in 1974. For information about this project, click here.

The middle school modernization is part of a larger “reconfiguration” of our students:

  • The middle school will now serve grades 6, 7, and 8
  • Fifth-graders will return to their neighborhood elementary schools beginning in 2026.
  • Preschoolers will attend a centralized early education center on the current Walker Upper Elementary School campus beginning in 2026.

Smaller Modernization Projects at the Elementary Schools

In addition, there has been a separate process for accomplishing modernization projects (with an annual budget of $1-1.25 million) at the elementary schools.

  • Clark was first in 2018.
  • Jackson-Via was completed in 2019.
  • After a “pandemic pause,” Burnley-Moran’s media center and associated spaces were completed in 2022. Watch video here.
  • The Greenbrier project was partially accomplished in 2022 (replacement of classroom furniture with new flexible furnishings, new touch screen monitors and improved
    storage) and construction work on modernizing the media center will be up for bid in 2023.

More CIP Updates

  • artist's rendering of new middle school

    Approved Concept Design from September 2022 for Middle School Serving Grades 6-8 at Buford.

    artist's rendering of new early childhood center

    Approved Concept Design from September 2022 for Preschool at Walker

    Brief Summary/Update (September 2022)

    aerial view of proposed middle schoolDesign work continues on our middle school modernization project. At the School Board meeting, Ms. Powell and VMDO Architects presented the progress made and the latest cost estimates. As expected, due to inflation, the costs of the project have risen $6.5 million. By working with the City, we expect to maintain forward momentum and the current timetable for this project.

    What’s Middle School Modernization? And Does it Include Preschool?

    Good news! In April, Charlottesville City Council and the School Board unanimously approved moving forward with a plan to modernize and repurpose our facilities.  Buford Middle School will be renovated to serve the City’s 6th- through 8th-graders.  Walker Upper Elementary School will receive a light, initial renovation as the first steps toward creating a modern city-wide preschool with wrap-around services. Fifth-graders will return to their neighborhood elementary Schools.  With a $68.8 million budget allocation from the City on April 12, 2022, the project will be the city’s first major investment in school buildings since the building of Charlottesville High School in 1974.

    Following the April approval, plans have been moving forward and will gear up this summer. VMDO Architects completed design development by early August (see updates and pricing estimates, above), followed by public review prior to developing construction documents in the fall.

    Why School Reconfiguration and Why Now?

    • We can create a better experience for our preschool, tween, and teen students: Our buildings should reflect modern ideas about schools as exploratory spaces. This project will also mean fewer disruptive transitions during adolescence. 
    • This reconfiguration project prioritizes equity: Buford and our preschool serve the highest percentage of Black, Brown and economically disadvantaged students of all our division’s schools; significant investments in these spaces are a key part of addressing historic and ongoing inequities in Charlottesville.
    • We can improve outcomes through better architecture and design: Studies show that more natural light and lower noise levels in classrooms help students learn. 
    • Major investment in school buildings is long overdue: While the division’s annual budget is well funded, the last time the city invested significantly in school capital projects was to build CHS in 1974. Because of inflation, our ability to fund this community-driven transformation depends on timely decision-making.
    • Reconfiguration addresses urgent problems of today and tomorrow, including climate change: Our schools are already nearing capacity, and this project will add space at Buford and create more flexibility for the elementaries. Additionally, upgrading these buildings is key to advancing our city’s climate goals while also addressing ADA compliance and school safety.

    What’s the Timeline and Which Students are Impacted?

    For a visual timeline, see the slide below. This year’s kindergarteners will be the first class to stay at their elementary schools for fifth grade. This year’s first-graders will be the first class to go to 6th grade at Buford.

    Learn more

    Recent reporting:

    Curious about the updated schedule and which cohorts of students would be impacted? Check out these two slides.

    More Questions?

     Go to FAQ

    Brief Summary/Update (June 2022)

    Good news! In April, Charlottesville City Council and the School Board have unanimously approved moving forward with a plan to modernize and repurpose our facilities.  Buford Middle School will be renovated to serve the City’s 6th- through 8th-graders.  Walker Upper Elementary School  will receive a light, initial renovation as the first steps toward creating a modern city-wide preschool with wrap-around services. Fifth-graders would return to their neighborhood elementary Schools.  With a $68.8 million budget allocation from the City on April 12, 2022, the project will be the city’s first major investment in school buildings since the building of Charlottesville High School in 1974.

    Following the April approval, plans have been moving forward and will gear up this summer. VMDO Architects will work closely with City and School leaders to solicit staff input and complete design development by early August, followed by public review prior to developing construction documents in the fall.

    Facilities: A Brief Update (May 2021-April 2022)

    Charlottesville City Schools and the City of Charlottesville have explored and agreed upon design and funding options for a redesign of Buford Middle School and Walker Upper Elementary School.

    Key Ideas

    • Buford will serve grades 6-8
    • Fifth-graders will return to their elementary schools
    • Walker will become a city-wide preschool center

    More Information/Reporting