press release

Sneak Peek at Major Renovations to Albemarle County Schools

By Liz Palka

Published: August 20, 2009

The first day of school is around the corner. The finishing touches are being made to three Albemarle County Schools before students arrive.

Albemarle High School has seen many changes over the summer. The front of the school has been renovated, there's a new wing for the Math Engineering and Science Academy and in a matter of days there will be an environmentally friendly roof.

"Everything is expected to be done on Tuesday when students start back," said AHS' new Principal, Jay Thomas. "There's a number of projects that are being finished now. So it's just a matter of touching up some things here and there."

Greer Elementary has also been renovated. The school has a new entrance, an expanded library and a new front office.

Brownsville Elementary added a whole wing on to their building. Designers made changes to make the building sustainable.

In fact, school officials believe Brownsville will be the first LEED certified school building in Albemarle County. They expect it to use 37 percent less energy than a typical school building.

Signs and colors will teach students about Virginia as they walk down the halls. For example, one section of the building is painted yellow, and represents Virginia's coast. There are signs hanging on the wall to teach students about that region.

"When you walk through it, it's like a walking field trip of social studies standards of learning," said Brownsville's Principal, Jo Vining. "So we have the mountain range, the piedmont, and the coastal."

The school's addition includes 10 new classrooms, resource rooms and a new gym, allowing the school to absorb students from Crozet Elementary as part of a redistricting plan.

To view the news broadcast, click here.

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the youngest firm to receive the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.