Falls Church HS renovation to start soon

Construction will finally start – this spring – on a major renovation and expansion of Falls Church High School. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2025.

As described at a community meeting Feb. 3, the school will get a new entry, library, lecture hall, science labs, classrooms, performing arts and music suite, auxiliary gym, and physical education rooms.

The Falls Church Academy, which draws students countywide for career and technical programs, will be in a new wing with a separate entrance.

The cafeteria, main gym, and locker rooms will be expanded.

“I’m thrilled that this is finally happening,” said former school board member Sandy Evans, who got the ball rolling on the renovations.

Falls Church parents began pushing for a makeover of the aging school 10 years ago. The school board refused to move the school up on Fairfax County Public Schools’ renovation queue, so the community had a long wait until this project could move forward.

The renovations also include new floor finishes, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, sprinkler and fire alarm systems, lighting, door access, and telephone and data systems. FCPS is considering solar energy for hot water.

Outdoor improvements include a new kiss-and-ride and bus circulation route by the west entrance. The softball field, tennis courts, and concessions building will be relocated. In a change from a previous plan, the baseball field will stay put.

The design includes a large gathering space in front of the building. There will be a net gain of 40 parking spaces. If additional spaces are needed, FCPS will partner with the Park Authority to use the Providence Rec Center lot.

The project will add 125,000 square feet to the school, which will increase capacity to 2,500 students. Current enrollment is 1,966.

Phase 1 includes construction of a large addition at the rear of the school housing science labs, classrooms, the library, and lecture hall.  

During Phase 2, the Falls Church Academy classrooms will be relocated to a new addition at the front corner to the left of the main entrance. Another addition housing the music programs will be built at the front of the school to the right of the main entrance.

Phase 3 calls for an addition near the building’s west entrance for the physical education program and gym expansion.

During construction, the school day will be as uninterrupted as possible. The school building will remain ADA compliant during renovations. The gym will be closed for one summer; during that time, students can use the auxiliary gym or another nearby facility. 

“Safety is a key priority during construction,” said Holli McKinley, acting coordinator of design and construction at FCPS. Mobile safety teams will periodically visit the site to make sure the contractors comply with OSHA standards, fire codes, air quality standards, and Covid requirements.