Capital Improvement Project Needs

STATUS: FUNDED

Baker-Butler Elementary School is currently overcrowded and the student population is projected to continue growing. The student yield analysis from new development shows the Baker-Butler/Hollymead districts as having the highest impact of 956 potential students. It is recommended a new school be constructed to benefit Baker-Butler as well as other schools in the Northern Feeder Pattern.

A 10-acre site for a new elementary school was proffered as a part of the approved rezoning for the North Pointe Development on 29N. The fully graded pad site and location is optimal for growth along the 29N corridor and could serve students in current Northern Feeder Pattern elementary schools.

A total of $60,700,000 has been approved to be distributed during FY27 and FY28.

STATUS: PARTIALLY FUNDED

In 2017, a High School Facility Planning Study was completed. The recommendations, which the School Board accepted, included the construction of High School Centers to meet capacity needs and the modernization of the division’s existing high schools.

Due to the age and condition of the facilities, Albemarle and Western Albemarle were prioritized first. As a part of the study, a detailed assessment was conducted utilizing the Education Facilities Effectiveness Instrument (EFEI) to determine the educational adequacy of the space to contemporary instructional needs.

A total of $39,300,000 has been requested across FY26 through FY28.

STATUS: UNFUNDED

While the Division consistently and adequately funds ongoing maintenance, buildings are due for more comprehensive renovations that will more efficiently and holistically bring aging buildings up to date.

This project aims to provide funding to renovate schools that have historically had stable or declining enrollment. It supports the ACPS strategic goal of promoting equity for all students across the county and ensure that all schools are safe, functional, and provide the facilities necessary to support current educational programming. 

A total of $66,500,000 has been requested across FY26 through FY30.

STATUS: UNFUNDED

The Special Education Department is spread across several permanent and temporary facilities including: County Office Building, Post High, Jordan Building, Greenbrier Building, Community Lab School and Greer Trailers, and all schools. In order to operate more efficiently and effectively, a goal of the department is to house programs such as the Intensive Support Center, Early Childhood Special Education, and Itinerant Staff/Specialists in permanent and centralized locations.

In addition, the Post High building has exceeded its capacity for enrolled students as well the services it is able to provide for the current needs of the students. A significant addition and renovation would be needed to ensure a high level of safety and security, capacity, and instructional learning opportunities.

Currently, ACPS owns the Ivy Creek building located on the Lambs Lane Campus and leases it to the Piedmont Regional Education Program (PREP). The lease agreement ends on June 30, 2025. This development has provided an opportunity for ACPS to use the permanently owned space for its Special Education services, rather than continuing to seek temporary spaces around the County. Moving the Post High program to Ivy Creek would also open approximately 1,950 SF in the Burley Annex 2,000 SF in Post High to allow for other programming. 

$3,000,000 has been requested for FY26.

STATUS: UNFUNDED

Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) owns and operates five comprehensive middle schools, plus Community Lab School, which serves students in grades 6-12. While our middle schools currently provide adequate space to serve our students, there are looming overcrowding issues at Henley Middle School in Crozet and at Journey Middle School on Lambs Lane in Charlottesville. Based on projected enrollment growth, the age and condition of our middle school facilities, as well as other factors, ACPS is moving forward with a comprehensive study of all middle schools with the goal of developing a 20-year master plan to address, improve and resolve our capacity challenges and our renovation needs.

A total of $117,200,000 has been requested across FY26 through FY30.

Middle School Facilities Master Plan

STATUS: UNFUNDED

ACPS is currently undertaking a Middle School Study to determine the long-term strategy for addressing
both over- and under-enrollment at the middle school level. At the high school level, the LRPAC continues
to analyze options for long-term overcrowding at all three high schools, with a particular focus on
Albemarle High School. As the County’s development areas continue to increase in population, there are
plans in place to construct two new elementary schools, and it is likely that an additional elementary
school will be needed in either the Western Feeder Pattern or along the 29N corridor in the Northern
Feeder Pattern. The economic climate indicates that an early and proactive land acquisition is necessary
since it is likely that new facilities will need to be built to address student capacity throughout the
division. 

This project includes the acquisition of approximately 20 acres of land in Albemarle County in proximity to densely populated areas. Aligning this project with elementary, middle and/or high school capacity planning could create opportunities for shared efficiencies.

A total of $7,500,000 has been requested for FY26

STATUS: UNFUNDED

In 2022, the Lambs Lane Master Plan study was completed with the goals of improving security and safety, identity/sense of place, optimal use, equity, environment, and wayfinding on the Lambs Lane campus. The Lambs Lane campus is home to Albemarle High School, Journey, Middle School, Greer Elementary School, Ivy Creek, Building Services Department, Transportation Vehicle Maintenance Facility, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Because the Campus serves nearly 25% of students enrolled at ACPS and is centrally located in the County, it is widely agreed that improvements to the overall campus would be beneficial to students, staff, and the community at large. Analysis of Geographic Information System (GIS) census tract data reveals that the neighborhoods closest to the Campus are the most densely populated in the County and are home to the greatest number of low-income residents. English is not the first language for many of the families living nearby. The same neighborhoods welcome many of the refugee families who find a haven in the County along with many foreign graduate students and their families. The children of these families attend the schools on the Campus. As a result, Greer, Journey, and AHS enjoy great diversity and serve the greatest percentages of English Learners and students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch in the school division.

Years 1-5:

• Design and Construction of Main Loop Road from Lambs Ln. to Hydraulic Rd. w/ Associated Wayfinding Signage & Landscaping (in conjunction with the High School Center II Project)
• Design and Construction of New Greer Bus Loop and Parking Reconfiguration (in conjunction with proposed Greer ES renovations)
• Design of Journey MS Bus Loop and Parking Reconfiguration

Years 6-10:

• Construction of Journey MS Bus Loop and Parking Reconfiguration, Design of AHS Bus Loop & Parking Lots
• Construction of AHS Bus Loop and Parking Lots, Design of VMF/Transportation Relocation, Design of North Section Main Loop Road
• Construction of VMF/Transportation Relocation
• Construction of North Section Main Loop Road, Design of New AHS Athletic Fields
• Construction of New AHS Athletic Fields

A total of $14,400,000 has been requested across FY26, FY29 and FY30.

Lambs Lane Master Plan

STATUS: UNFUNDED

The LRPAC considered multiple alternatives for addressing overcrowding at Albemarle High School as well as potential longer-term capacity conflicts at Western Albemarle and Monticello High Schools.

Alternatives include:

• Constructing a new comprehensive high school
• Constructing additions to existing buildings
• Expanding on the current High School Center Model

The availability of land to construct a new school, additions, or center is anticipated to be a constraint in the alternatives. The LRPAC reiterates the recommendation for land acquisition, in conjunction with this or other  projects.

The placeholder funding will allow for the planning for the addition of approximately 100,000 SF at
Monticello High School and approximately 160,000 SF at Western Albemarle High School.

A total of $110,000,000 has been request to be distributed across FY29 and FY30.

STATUS: UNFUNDED

ACPS began implementing walk zones in 2021 in response to the national bus driver shortage. There are twelve (12) schools with approved walk zones for the 2023-24 school year. Elementary students within one (1) mile walking distance and secondary students within one and one-half (1.5) miles walking distance from the school are considered to live within a school’s walk zone. Walking distances are measured from the student’s residence or current school bus stop to the entrance of the school grounds. School walk zones are subject to unusual safety hazards, which could include railroad crossings, lack of safe crosswalk infrastructure, and/or topography or road curvature that prevents cars from seeing walkers.

Further, school walk zones contribute to ACPS’ and the County of Albemarle’s Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions. Multiple studies have shown that walking and biking to school provide opportunities to reduce their carbon usage and contribute to the health of the environment.

In the past, ACPS has partnered with local government on pursuing and implementing Safe Routes to School grants on large infrastructure projects. Those projects have historically been much larger projects and take longer to implement. This project would not replace those efforts, but would enable ACPS to make smaller infrastructure improvements that can be implemented in a more timely and efficient manner.

This project provides funding for the maintenance of, enhancements to, and expansion of ACPS school walk zones. Specific projects may include the design, maintenance, and construction of sidewalks, shared use paths, crosswalks, associated safety signage, and other similar improvements that improve and/or enhance the safety of ACPS walk zones.

A total of $1,400,000 has been requested across FY26 through FY30.

STATUS: UNFUNDED

ACPS applied for grant funding through the US Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools program to develop a net-zero campus to include Monticello High School. While ACPS was not a grant recipient, the feasibility study for implementing a geothermal system on the MHS campus should be considered for additional CIP funding.

Further study is necessary, including thermal conductivity testing, to determine the exact number of wells required. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average return on investment for a geothermal system is 5-10 years and a geothermal wellfield has an average life expectancy of 50+ years. Energy modeling analysis on MHS would be required during the design process to determine the specific payback period for this school.

ACPS will need to continue seeking solutions to reduce carbon emissions at existing facilities if it is to meet the County’s climate goals to reduce carbon emissions by 45% from 2008 levels by 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2050.

This project is recommended by the Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES). 

Funding is currently budgeted in the maintenance CIP to replace the HVAC system for Monticello High School. The amount budgeted is for an in-kind replacement. An in-kind replacement will deliver increased energy efficiency but is not aligned with the county’s Climate Action Plan goals. 

A total of $27,700,000 has been requested to be distributed across FY26 through FY28.

STATUS: UNFUNDED

The LRPAC recommends a consultant study that analyzes the alternatives for creating a central location for ACPS preschools, including Early Childhood Special Education, Bright Stars, Head Start, and Title I. Currently, a majority of ACPS elementary schools host these programs with participants living in the respective elementary school district and participants from neighboring elementary school districts since the programs cannot be offered at all of the schools. Centralizing these services may provide a higher level of service, greater preschool capacities, and cost efficiencies. Transportation and distance issues will need to be addressed as a part of the study. 

Construct a new facility to combine preschool programs in the urban ring area.

An early learner center could:

• Enhance the instructional programs
• Providing spaces/resources/structures that are specifically designed for younger learners
• Provide larger PLC networks and other support for staff
• Create efficiencies
• Increase capacity/access to preschool opportunities
• Provide additional K-5 capacity at schools from which programs are relocated

A total of 3,000,000 to begin designing such a center has been requested for FY30.

This project is to design and construct a 61,500 square foot facility with a 400 student per day capacity that is a resource for the entire Division. It is strategically geographically located to provide access to interdisciplinary, project-based, specialized programming. It will also serve as an interface between the school, community and professional organizations that provide out-of-building authentic learning experiences such as internships, and other work and community-based opportunities. Transportation to High School Center 2 is provided by the Division from all three feeder patterns to ensure equitable opportunities to all students. It is a facility that is an extension of the modernization projects at each base high school, in that it will house a variety of learning spaces and technical resources. The project shall be LEED certified and comply with the Virginia High Performance Buildings Act.

Learn More about
High School Center II

This project is to construct a new 500-student elementary school in the Mountain View Elementary School district, as recommended in the Mountain View Facilities Master Plan Study. It is assumed that the site will have public water and sewer available at the property line. The project shall be LEED certified and comply with the Virginia High Performance Buildings Act. The assumed building size is 72,500 square feet (500 students at 145 square feet per student).

Learn More About Mountain
View Upper Elementary School

Outlined as a priority in the 2022 Albemarle and Western Albemarle High School Master Plan, a connecting corridor is in design for the second floor of Albemarle High School. The connector will improve circulation throughout the building, add classroom capacity, and provide improved teacher professional space. The project concept involves a 1,500 square foot renovation inside the existing building with a 6,295 square foot addition/expansion that includes 6 additional classrooms, and adds additional space dedicated to teachers.

This ongoing program funds the replacement of school buses based on prescribed needs-based fleet size and replacement guidelines outlined in the School Board Policy. The purchase of a bus also includes necessary equipment to support operating the vehicle in a manner that meets the needs of the students (add on equipment such as 2-way radios, wheelchair lifts, etc.). The project also includes the replacement of ancillary equipment throughout the fleet. Examples of such equipment include navigation tablets, video equipment and cameras, and radios.

The ongoing program provides funding for major maintenance work that extends the useful life of school facilities by improving, exchanging or replacing building components that are at or near the end of their useful life. Such components include roofs; electrical; mechanical, and plumbing equipment; pavement rehabilitation; and flooring replacement. In addition, this program also funds energy conservation measures; asbestos abatement; kitchen equipment replacement; and playground equipment replacement. Facilities include three high schools, five middle schools, one charter school, fifteen elementary schools, two service facilities (Vehicle Maintenance Facility and Building Services), and the Ivy Creek School.

This program provides resources and technical support for the communication and data infrastructure throughout the Public Schools. In addition, it supports a fiber network between and within all buildings that provides all internet and data services to and between the central office, schools, and departments. Network operations includes ACPS’s firewall, Internet filter, WIFI Access Points, Switches and other devices that provide safe and secure connectivity and communication. The Public Schools maintain Data Center functionality for resiliency, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.