The new elementary school will serve 1,070 students in a 130,000-square-foot building. The $46.1 million project is expected to be completed by June 2026, with substantial completion for temporary occupancy by April 2026.
The groundbreaking comes just days after the Stafford County School Board awarded a $44 million contract for constructing Elementary School 19. During its September 10, 2024, meeting, the board unanimously approved the contract with Branch Builds, Inc., to build the new school next to Brooke Point High School at 80 Black Hawk Lane. Similar in size to Elementary School 18, the 131,000-square-foot facility will also accommodate 1,070 students and is scheduled to open in 2026.
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Traffic congestion and school bus delays dominated discussions at the Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on September 17, 2024, as board members tackled the county's growing transportation issues. The conversation comes on the heels of a recent transportation crisis in Stafford County Public Schools, where over 3,000 students were left without bus service at the start of the school year, sparking calls for an independent investigation.
The school division blamed a software glitch for the chaos and noted it was unlike transportation school bus transportation issues in 2022 when the county schools suffered a lack of school bus drivers. Despite that fact, supervisors blamed traffic congestion.
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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Amanda Johnson, the new principal of The Nokesville School. Johnson has been a Prince William County Schools educator since the start of her career.
Why Prince William County, and why The Nokesville School?
How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?I originally came to PWCS when I graduated college at Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a degree in elementary education. At that time, teaching jobs in Pennsylvania were hard to come by. I grew up visiting family in Remington and had always thought Virginia was beautiful. So, when I found a position at Nokesville Elementary School, I knew I had to take it and move down here. It felt so much like home 20 years ago, and it still does today as I return to Nokesville to begin my first year as principal of The Nokesville School.
I spent the first 11 years of my educational career in four schools across the division, first as a teacher and then as an assistant principal. Each school was unique and contained its own lessons that I learned as I moved through the experiences. I then served for seven years as the principal of Pennington Traditional School, giving me the opportunity to lead across two levels in a small, stable community. All of the roles I held in these schools have given me the foundation needed to lead a school that contains nine grade levels, 1,100+ students and an ever-growing community. Each school taught me the value of caring for the community you serve, which is exactly what I plan to do as the principal of The Nokesville School.
Are there any initiatives you hope to implement in your first year?Although we will not necessarily be implementing any new initiatives this school year beyond those being implemented divisionwide, we have recommitted ourselves to the foundation of The Nokesville School - Vision, Community, Excellence. This year, we are focusing on our vision, ensuring we take the time to notice our people and our community, and outlining our vision for the future that will connect us with our community and build on our excellence.
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In a report released last month by the Virginia Department of Education, the average pass rates have declined in history, math and reading; improved in science and stayed the same in writing. The most significant decrease was in history, which decreased from 62% in the 2022-2023 school year to 58% in 2023-24. The most significant increase was in science, which increased to 48% in 2023-24.
And, MCPS significantly lags behind Virginia state averages. In almost every subject, MCPS is behind more than 20% in comparison to state averages.
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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Jason Pensler, the new principal of Bel Air Elementary in Woodbridge. Pensler is a Northern Virginia native with more than 25 years of experience in education.
Why Prince William County, and why Bel Air Elementary?
As a lifelong Northern Virginia resident and having many colleagues residing in Prince William County, I was drawn to Prince William County Schools by LaTanya D. McDade's, Ed.D. inspiring leadership. Her commitment to innovation and equitable education aligns perfectly with my own values. Throughout the interview process, I felt a strong connection with the Bel Air Elementary school community and PWCS' leadership team making Bel Air Elementary the perfect fit for me. One of the key factors that attracted me to PWCS and Bel Air Elementary is the diverse student population. Having experience in Title 1 schools and language immersion programs, I immediately felt a connection to the vibrant Bel Air community. I'm excited to champion for our students and staff and create a welcoming, safe learning environment where they can thrive.
How will you bring your experience as [specific experiences here] to your new role as principal in PWCS?
As a seasoned educator with 26 years of experience in the classroom, gifted and talented programs, and administration, I'm thrilled to bring my expertise to my new role as principal in PWCS.
My diverse background, including experience with dual language immersion programs, has equipped me with a deep understanding of effective teaching practices and the importance of creating a supportive learning environment for all students and empowering our staff as teacher leaders.
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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Matthew Meyer, the new principal of Glenkirk Elementary in Gainesville. Meyer is a career educator with Prince William County Schools. He's served as both a teacher and assistant principal.
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The Prince William County Police Department arrested a 12-year-old Unity Braxton Middle School student Wednesday after a tip was received about a threat of potential violence posted on TikTok toward the school.
Officers responded to the tip on Monday morning and the suspect was arrested Wednesday.
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The Stafford County School Board unanimously approved the construction of Elementary School 19 during its monthly business meeting on September 10, 2024. The new school will be located at 80 Black Hawk Lane, next to Brooke Point High School, in the central portion of the county. It is set to open in 2026.
The board awarded Branch Builds, Inc. a contract worth $44 million to construct the school. The school will have a capacity of 1,070 students and will occupy approximately 131,000 square feet at 80 Black Hawk Drive. The project will be funded through the capital projects budget.
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Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
Today, get to know Jesse Rivera, Ed.D., the new principal of Haymarket Elementary School. Rivera has taught in Culpeper and was an assistant principal in Fauquier County.
