Discovery Elementary School

on the Williamsburg Middle School Campus

Community Updates

Project Information:

As a result of the recent APS system wide capacity and facilities studies, and through a rigorous feasibility study involving several current APS sites, a new elementary school for the Williamsburg Middle School (WMS) site was proposed and approved by the School Board.

In conjunction with the design for the new ES, Master Planning for the entire WMS campus will also take place. The Master Plan will look at future capacity and space planning for the middle school as well as site issues such as vehicular and pedestrian flow in and around the site and parking for the site.

Approximate square footage for the new ES: 97,000 SF

Approximate construction cost: $35M
Approximate total project cost (including soft costs and community amenities) $46.5M
Scheduled construction start: March 2014

Construction complete: Summer 2015

Architect: VMDO Architects

The project will go through a Building Level Planning Committee (BLPC) process designed for community input and consensus, as well as a Public Facilities Review Committee (PFRC) process, designed to insure the project adheres to Arlington County government requirements and goals. Meeting minutes from future BLPC and PFRC meetings will be posted on this site, as well as other information pertinent to the project.

BLPC Members List
Residential Parking Information

Updates:

• October 2018, Post Occupancy Report
• February 19, 2014, Community Meeting Presentation pdf
• December 5, 2013, School Board Final Design Presentation pdf
• September 21, 2013, County Board Use Permit Presentation pdf
• September 9, 2013, Planning Commission Presentation pdf
• September 5, 2013, Transportation Commission Presentation pdf
• Use Permit Application pdf (drawings available through Arlington County Zoning Dept.)
• Environmental Assessment pdf
• May 2, 2013, Schematic Design brochure pdf
• May 2, 2013, Schematic Design Presentation for School Board, Information Item pdf
• April 30, 2013, Gallery Walk for Public Review of Work Presentation
• February 7, 2013, Concept Design Presentation to School Board, Action Item pdf
• January 24, 2013, Concept Design Presentation for School Board, Information Item pdf
• Responses to questions/comments on Toole Design Group Transportation Study pdf
• January 17, 2013, School Board/County Board Joint Work Session APS Staff Presentation County Staff Presentation
• January 14, 2013, Gallery Walk for Public Review of Work Presentation
• Questions and Answers for 1/9/13 Community Meeting Presentation
• December 20, 2012, Update School Board on Building Site Design Monitoring Item Presentation
• No-build zones proposed by members of Rock Spring Civic Association
• Tool Design Group Responses to Comments on Transportation Study for New ES#1, 12/18/12 (PDF)
• Questions and Answers for 10/11/12 Community Meeting (PDF)
• Community Meeting on Traffic and Parking October 11, 2012 Presentation
• Neighborhood Meeting Sept. 13, 2012 Presentation
• Preliminary work – subsurface investigation

Studies/Examples of K-8 School Models
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5

BLPC and PFRC Meeting Schedule