ACPS Celebrates Topping Out Ceremony for Mountain View Upper Elementary School

NEWS RELEASE

(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia) – Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) marked a major milestone last Thursday in the construction of Mountain View Upper Elementary School with a topping out ceremony, celebrating the placement of the highest steel beam.

Students, teachers, School Board members, school division leaders, state and local officials, community members, and project partners gathered at the site to add their signatures to the ceremonial beam before it was hoisted into place. The beam, adorned with an American flag in keeping with construction tradition, was raised to mark the school reaching its highest point.

When completed, Mountain View Upper Elementary will serve up to 500 students in grades 3–5. The new school will help address capacity needs in the division and provide modern, light-filled spaces designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning. This will be the first new elementary school ACPS has opened in more than 20 years.

“It really is a joy to be on the School Board to offer our students new, modern educational spaces,” said Dr. Kate Acuff, School Board Chair.

Senator Creigh Deeds commended Albemarle County for maintaining strong investments in education, noting it reflects pride and confidence in the community’s future. “The most important investment we make as a society is the investment we make in the development of young people,” he said.

For Delegate Katrina Callsen, the milestone carried special meaning: “This is so neat to be here because I was actually on the School Board when we were making the decisions about it. … For all of you who are working on this site … you are building a space that is going to bring joy, happiness, and learning to our community, and so thank you for doing this work.”

Dr. Seth Kennard, current principal of Mountain View Elementary School and the future principal of Mountain View Upper Elementary, highlighted the role of community engagement in the project: “This school was designed with an incredible amount of community input, and to be here today and walk through it, we’re seeing our dreams really come to life. … All our rising third, fourth, and fifth graders have made cards for every construction worker to say thank you and stay safe. We’re really excited to be able to learn here.”

Dan Hylton, President and CEO of Nielsen Builders, drew a parallel between the construction effort and the work of educators: “Just as we are building this firm foundation and strong backbone of this building, you—the teachers and administrators of Albemarle County Schools—are building up these young students. … We are proud to build the building in which their future of learning will take place, and we are gracious for the opportunity to be your partner.”

Nielsen Builders, the project’s general contractor, has led the construction effort since the February 2025 groundbreaking, working alongside VMDO Architects, who guided the community-driven design process.

Kelly Callahan of VMDO Architects, who co-led the design team, emphasized the collaboration behind the project: “As educational designers, we know that every school is first and foremost a learning facility, but it’s also a center for your community. … The design process intentionally included the voices of not just a broad range of leaders, but teachers and families and students. This is your vision being built today.”

Construction on Mountain View Upper Elementary began in February 2025 and will be completed in time for students to begin the 2026-27 school year. The school will feature flexible classrooms, outdoor learning areas, and community spaces, reflecting ACPS’s commitment to ensuring every student has access to innovative and supportive learning environments.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Butler
Acting Chief Communications Officer
Office of Communications
Albemarle County Public Schools
(434) 260-4634
communications@k12albemarle.org