Above: Aerial Rendering of the New Patrick Henry K-8 School and Rec Center.
Students will be filling the hallways of the new Patrick Henry School on Jan. 22.
The original opening was scheduled for earlier this school year, but 2018’s record-setting rainfall created unavoidable construction delays.
Patrick Henry Elementary School, at 4643 Taney Ave., was built in the early 1950s. A gymnasium was added in the early 1970s along with a recreation center. The planning process that led to the new building construction started in July 2013.
The new building was built around the old building, allowing programming and education to continue mostly uninterrupted during construction. The old building will be demolished later this year. After the old building is demolished, sports fields will be installed..
The new school will serve students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade, addressing some capacity needs for Alexandria students.
The new recreation center is larger and will offer more facilities for West End residents. It will include a gymnasium, workout equipment, community space and more.
The school includes all new furniture and equipment for the school and rec center.
The City of Alexandria and Alexandria City Public Schools are jointly hosting a Community Open House from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 2. It was moved from an earlier date due to overwhelming interest.
