This year, students at Bishop Ireton
High School in Alexandria will be painting in brand new art rooms, talking
about God in a new campus ministry meeting area and shopping in the new school
bookstore. These and other renovations, including additional administrative
offices, will be completed in early September.
Major construction will continue into
the fall. A new auxiliary gym and a new front upper entrance vestibule are
scheduled to be completed in November. The new academic building, set to be
finished in January 2020, will house STEM facilities, a library, dining area
and space for the academic support program.
Meanwhile, students at St. Paul VI
Catholic High School prepare for their last year in Fairfax while construction
on their new home in Loudoun County is finished. “There has been great progress
throughout the summer and the heart of our campus is really taking shape,” said
Ginny Colwell, head of school.
Much of the exterior of the buildings is
completed. Inside, workers are installing ceiling tiles in classrooms, study
alcoves and administrative offices. The walls of the chapel and learning
commons are painted. A walk-in cooler and freezer, and much of the other
equipment have been installed in the kitchen.
On the athletic side, the main gym wood
flooring has been installed pending final sanding and sealing, said Colwell.
Acoustical panels are being installed in both gyms. “The press box was hoisted
by crane and set on the gym roof atop the grandstands,” she said.
The new school facilities are set to be ready
by next fall.
Construction of a bridge between two
buildings at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington will delay the opening
of the school year by a week. The bridge is set to be finished by the time
freshmen arrive for orientation Sept. 4. Construction will continue throughout
the year on a new main entrance, an academic building and a chapel that will
seat 170. The project is scheduled to be completed by the 2020-21 school year.