Fairfax County students build houses
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| 7005 Spingville Court |
A brand-new house that will come on the market in
Springfield soon for $824,500 is way more than just a house. About
three-quarters of it was built by students from several Fairfax County high
schools as part of a course on construction technology.
Springfield soon for $824,500 is way more than just a house. About
three-quarters of it was built by students from several Fairfax County high
schools as part of a course on construction technology.
One of those students is Bryan Jefferson, a senior at
Annandale High School, who spends the last two
class blocks every other day working on the framework, drywall, cabinets, and
other things. While most people have the perception that courses in construction are just for students planning to go into the trades rather
than college, that’s an outdated idea. Jefferson will be attending
Georgetown University next year and plans to go into real estate development or
business administration.
Annandale High School, who spends the last two
class blocks every other day working on the framework, drywall, cabinets, and
other things. While most people have the perception that courses in construction are just for students planning to go into the trades rather
than college, that’s an outdated idea. Jefferson will be attending
Georgetown University next year and plans to go into real estate development or
business administration.
Students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program
“are a cross-section of all students in FCPS,” says Beth Downey, CTE
coordinator. “We have many students who are interested in a particular trade or
want to learn more about an industry before attending college to pursue a
professional degree.”
“are a cross-section of all students in FCPS,” says Beth Downey, CTE
coordinator. “We have many students who are interested in a particular trade or
want to learn more about an industry before attending college to pursue a
professional degree.”
In the past 42 years, FCPS students have helped build 20 houses
and several commercial facilities for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Sixteen
of the houses are in McLean, one is in Fairfax, and the rest are in the Spring
Village development in Springfield on land owned by FCPS. The program is
self-sufficient; the money raised by selling one house is used to construct
another one.
and several commercial facilities for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Sixteen
of the houses are in McLean, one is in Fairfax, and the rest are in the Spring
Village development in Springfield on land owned by FCPS. The program is
self-sufficient; the money raised by selling one house is used to construct
another one.
The newest house, at 7005 Springville Court, is almost
finished. The sale is being managed by the Integrity Real Estate Group, and an
open house is planned for May 21, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
finished. The sale is being managed by the Integrity Real Estate Group, and an
open house is planned for May 21, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
It has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, two walk-in closets in
the master bedroom, a large kitchen, a Jacuzzi in the master bath, hardwood floors, and a full
basement with a door to the backyard.
the master bedroom, a large kitchen, a Jacuzzi in the master bath, hardwood floors, and a full
basement with a door to the backyard.
On a tour through the house, William Roberts, a senior at
Hayfield Secondary School, pointed out some of the special features designed to
make it accessible to people with disabilities, such as extra wide hallways, a
bedroom on the first floor, and a shaft that can be used for an elevator.
Hayfield Secondary School, pointed out some of the special features designed to
make it accessible to people with disabilities, such as extra wide hallways, a
bedroom on the first floor, and a shaft that can be used for an elevator.
The residential construction program is a joint venture of CTE and the Foundation for Applied Technical Education (FATE). The program
not only teaches construction skills; students also develop teamwork,
problem-solving, and leadership skills that will serve them well in any future
career, said Chad Maclin, executive director of FATE and manager of the Trade and Industrial Education Program at FCPS.
not only teaches construction skills; students also develop teamwork,
problem-solving, and leadership skills that will serve them well in any future
career, said Chad Maclin, executive director of FATE and manager of the Trade and Industrial Education Program at FCPS.
“We’re teaching them how to work with contractors and how to
evaluate the needs of the community,” Maclin said. And they learn the value of
high-quality work. “You get paid to it right the first time. You don’t get paid
to do shoddy work,” he said.
evaluate the needs of the community,” Maclin said. And they learn the value of
high-quality work. “You get paid to it right the first time. You don’t get paid
to do shoddy work,” he said.
