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.