Dunn Loring Administrative Building To Become Elementary School

DUNN LORING, VA — On Tuesday, the Fairfax County School Board voted to repurpose the Dunn Loring Administration Center as a new elementary school to alleviate overcrowding.

Providence District Representative Karl Frisch made the proposal to repurpose the building, which comes with a $36.8 million renovation paid with existing bond funds. According to a statement from Frisch, the action seeks to provide capacity relief for Shrevewood Elementary School and the surrounding community. Shrevewood Elementary School is expected to reach 120 percent capacity by 2025.

"This project will bring much-needed, sustainable capacity relief to the Falls Church, Dunn Loring, and Tysons communities where overcrowding has been a persistent challenge," said Frisch in a statement. "I am grateful to the many parents and school staff who have shared their capacity concerns with me over the past year. If not for their persistent advocacy and willingness to think outside of the box, this would not have been possible."

Dunn Loring Administration Center functioned as an elementary school from 1939 to 1978 before hosting school division staff for program registration and various student assessments.

The bond funds approved by voters in 2017 and 2019 were initially earmarked for a new elementary school in the Fairfax and Oakton area. Discussions had focused on Blake Lane Park as a potential site, but that park site is not available to Fairfax County Public Schools. In addition, two elementary schools in the area no longer have the capacity needs once projected, according to Frisch.

Planning for the project is expected to begin when FCPS staff finish work related to the return to school plan. New elementary school constructions usually take one year for planning, one year for permitting and three years for construction. Boundary adjustments happen as construction nears completion.