Middle School Facilities Master Plan

As part of our work to determine feasible solutions that will ensure educational adequacy and parity, this study will evaluate and consider some complicated issues, including middle schools that serve multiple feeder patterns; under-enrollment at some of our schools; the varying ages, sizes and conditions of our facilities; and the unique needs of each community. All recommendations will be consistent with the vision, mission, values and goals of the division’s strategic plan.

ACPS has partnered with VMDO Architects, a local architectural firm specializing in K-12 education, to conduct the Middle School Facilities Master Plan. Work began in April 2023 and will continue through the end of the 2023 calendar year.

• Initiate project
• Develop project scope and schedule
• Hold kickoff meeting with ACPS

• Survey stakeholders
• Tour and assess facilities
• Document existing condition of facilities

• Conduct detailed benchmark evaluation
• Identify deficit areas and prioritize greatest needs

• Develop options/alternate futures for each site
• Review options and incorporate stakeholder feedback

• Develop comprehensive, optimal scenario to serve as the foundation of the master plan
• Conduct cost estimates and financial forecasting (cost adjustment for inflation and long-term implementation)

• Draft Middle School Facilities Master Plan Report
• Present final plan/study to ACPS stakeholders
• Submit final Middle School Facilities Master Plan Report

• Provide short-term and long-term projections and implementation plans to ACPS
• ACPS to determine how to utilize the finished Middle School Facilities Master Plan

ACPS students, employees and families were invited to attend a gallery walk to review and provide feedback on a phased approach to the division’s Middle School Facilities Master Plan. The event, held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, included a public viewing, a presentation by VMDO Architects, a gallery walk, and a Q&A session.

During the gallery walk, participants were able to ask questions and provide feedback. VMDO will incorporate community feedback into their final report, which will be delivered to the project steering committee in December. A summary of the final plan will be presented to the Albemarle County School Board and provided to the Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee and other groups in early 2024. The final report also will be made available to the public at that time.

Click here to view the presentation boards on display during the gallery walk.

ACPS students, employees and families were invited to attend a virtual community information session focused on the Middle School Facilities Master Plan on April 26, 2023, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting, hosted by the ACPS Office of Community Engagement, included:

• An overview of the Middle School Facilities Master Plan, including background information on each middle school, the purpose of the master plan, and how the plan will align with the division’s strategic plan;
• A dynamic presentation, The Adolescent Learner, by YouthNex Director Nancy Deutsch;
• An interactive discussion, Middle School Environments of the 21st Century, moderated by VMDO Architects; and
• Multiple opportunities for attendees to share their opinions and priorities for the master plan, including a small group breakout session.

During the information session, participants were surveyed about several topics, including the needs of middle school students; the greatest challenge and opportunity facing middle school students; and the most important criteria for middle school grounds and buildings in the 21st century. Click here to see the poll results.