| Since 1997, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has spent $387 million to modernize or replace 26 of the division's oldest elementary schools, along with maintenance, supply, custodial, and transportation facilities. These improvements have resulted in the renovation or replacement of approximately 2.4 million square feet of the school division assets.. Currently, there are three projects in various stages of construction. These projects include: |
 For a list of all Bid Results, Advertisements for Bid, and Request for Proposals for construction projects funded through our Capital Improvement Program, go to the Bid Board. |
- College Park Elementary School. The groundbreaking ceremony for this $22 million replacement school took place on June 3, 2010. A two-story prototype design, College Park Elementary is programmed as a LEED Platinum facility and features a green roof that can be accessed by students and staff. The facility will include natural day lighting, and rain water harvesting. College Park Elementary was constructed on the existing school site while students remained in their original school facility. Students moved into the new school in September 2011, and the old building was torn down to make way for the balance of the outdoor site facilities in late 2011/early 2012.
- Great Neck Middle School. Groundbreaking for this new 223,000 square foot three-story-facility took place in October 2009. The new Great Neck Middle is being constructed to the rear of the existing site, requiring demolition of the old Cox High football stadium. This $47 million school is $15 million under budget and is designed as a LEED Gold facility. The project incorporates a "day lighting" design that uses window orientation and lighting controls to increase the amount of natural light in the building while reducing the need for artificial light. Staff and students are currently scheduled to occupy their new school in late 2011, at which time the existing facility will be torn down to make way for the relocated athletic fields.
- Kellam High School Replacement. Groundbreaking for this new 336,000 square foot facility took place on September 30, 2011. The new Kellam High School is being construction on a ±108 acre site acquired by the School Board in the summer of 2010 and located on West Neck Road just South of North Landing Road. Site preparation for this $102 million project started in the spring of 2011, and substantial completion for the entire project is currently scheduled for late in 2013. Staff and students are slated to occupy the new school in the spring of 2014. The Kellam High School Replacement project is designed around a LEED Gold certification.
The following project is under design:
- Old Donation Center/Kemps Landing Magnet Replacement. Old Donation Center and Kemps Landing Magnet will be combined in a single consolidated facility to provide gifted and talented services for grades 2-8. RRMM Architects has been selected to provide design services for this project, with educational programming scheduled to start in November 2011.
All modernization/replacement projects programmed by Virginia Beach City Public Schools are developed in accordance with the school division’s Comprehensive Long Range Facility Master Plan, a guiding document that was developed in 2007 in concert with the entire community. All construction projects are designed/constructed to achieve a minimum of a LEED Silver Certification. The LEED rating system was established by the US Green Building Council and recognizes achievements and promotes expertise in sustainable building practices through a comprehensive system offering project certification, professional accreditation, training and practical resources. LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainable goals. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor air quality.
The Office of Facilities Planning and Construction, a recognized leader in the design and construction of school facilities, accepted two Design Awards for Outstanding Sustainable Development of Public Facilities from the Virginia Beach Planning Commission in December 2009. The highest award, an Honor Award, recognized the school division for the Renaissance Academy. This award is for superior development and execution of sustainable building. Brookwood, Windsor Woods and Windsor Oaks elementary schools all received a merit award for exemplary development and execution of sustainable buildings.
Since receiving the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award in 2008, VBCPS has received a total of 17 awards for achievements in environmental sustainability. The 2010 Best Green Organization from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network and the 2010 Mid Atlantic Environmental Achievement Award are indicative of the quality of these achievements.
The integration of the building as a “teaching tool” has had a profound effect on sustainability practices throughout the division in both operations and instruction. Because of these efforts, VBCPS is recognized as a leader in sustainability for K-12 education.