As the population of Culpeper County grows, Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) is actively preparing to accommodate additional students. With an eye on the future, the school division has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at addressing growth while continuing to inspire, empower, and educate our students.
In recent years, CCPS has embarked on several expansion projects, including the addition of modular classrooms at Sycamore Park Elementary School in 2020. This addition provided temporary relief to accommodate the growing student population. Following this, thanks to ESSER III Federal Pandemic Relief funding, CCPS was able to convert the former Central Office into a new wing at Floyd T Binns Middle School. The renovation provided additional classroom and office space to alleviate overcrowding while also improving ventilation for students and staff.
Currently, CCPS is undertaking projects to address growth and enhance educational offerings across its campuses. At Eastern View High School (EVHS), construction is underway to convert locker bay areas into classrooms. Enclosing these common areas for classroom space addresses immediate capacity constraints.
In addition to the extra classroom space at EVHS, in August 2023, the Culpeper Board of Supervisors approved a comprehensive renovation of Culpeper Middle School (CMS). CMS was constructed in 1977 and has been identified as the most in need of repair based on our facilities condition assessment. The roof was replaced in Summer 2023. The next steps are to renovate the interior to increase the capacity while improving technology, student traffic flow, safety and security, and improve heating and cooling. The renovation design will incorporate advanced learning labs that better reflect an education for the 21st century. The architectural firm is in the process of creating a renovation schedule and comprehensive plan. We are hopeful that this occupied renovation will begin next school year once bidding is done and a general contractor is selected.
To anticipate future growth on the elementary level, CCPS has initiated the process of procuring architectural and engineering services for a seventh elementary school. The location of “Elementary School #7” is yet to be determined. The new school was added to the CCPS Capital Improvement Plan prior to the pandemic, highlighting the long-term foresight of the school division to address growth.
Decisions to build and renovate schools are informed by enrollment projections provided by the Joint Capital Planning Committee and Cooperative Strategies, which analyze demographic trends and cost considerations. With all elementary schools currently operating above 90% capacity and three nearing full capacity, the need for additional facilities is imminent.
As CCPS navigates the challenges of accommodating rapid growth while maintaining educational excellence, community collaboration and strategic planning remain central to their approach. By prioritizing the expansion of facilities, CCPS reaffirms its commitment to providing students with a conducive learning environment that fosters growth, innovation, and success.
To learn more about enrollment and growth in CCPS, check out the following: