New George Mason High School Groundbreaking Set For June 14

FALLS CHURCH, VA—The groundbreaking of the new George Mason High School will happen on the last day of school, June 14, with construction expected to begin over the summer.

All are invited to the 2 p.m. groundbreaking at the future school site behind Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. The event will feature remarks by Superintendent Peter Noonan, School Board Chair Erin Gill, Mayor Dave Tarter and George Mason principal Matt Hills as well as students who will be in the first class to attend the new school.

Schools will be released earlier in the day, so parking will be available at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and George Mason High School. The event will be streamed online at www.fccps.org/live.

The groundbreaking follows a school board vote in May to allow the superintendent to sign a maximum price agreement with Gilbane Building Company, which was selected as the design builder.

A $120 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2017 allowed the George Mason High School project to move forward. The George Mason High School will be built on land behind the current school, and a future mixed-use development will replace the old school once construction of the new school is complete. The current timeline calls for the school to be completed in 2021.

As for the West Falls Church mixed-use development, Falls Church City Council approved a comprehensive agreement with developers in May. A new special exception entitlement application, which sets building heights, permitted uses and style layouts, was submitted to the city on June 3. The developer will make a presentation about the revised application on June 12 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Cafetorium.