Douglas Macarthur Modernization
Welcome to the Opening of the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School!
ACPS celebrated the opening of the newly constructed Douglas MacArthur on Fri., Aug. 18, 2023, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We are so excited about this new building and its offering of a modern, welcoming and innovative space where our students can learn and grow and our staff can teach and thrive,” ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt said as she called the building a “beacon for the community.” Douglas MacArthur Principal Penny Hairston, Alexandria City School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief, Alexandria City Mayor Justin Wilson and ACPS Chief Operating Officer Dr. Alicia Hart also addressed the gathering of elected officials, community leaders and student ambassadors in attendance. Dr. Rief presented a commemorative plaque from the School Board to Douglas MacArthur’s principal, before a group cut the ribbon at the school entrance. Watch highlights from the exciting occasion here!
Douglas MacArthur Modernization Project
A new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School is scheduled to open its doors in August 2023. The original opening was scheduled for 2025, but in April 2019, the School Board voted to use swing space at the former Patrick Henry Elementary School for Douglas MacArthur students beginning in 2020. This decision allowed Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) to move up the timeline for the Douglas MacArthur community.
Douglas MacArthur Modernization Project Timeline
The new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School building will be built on the same site as the original building. The new building is planned to be 150,000 square feet and three stories. It will accommodate spaces for classrooms, art and music rooms and physical education. The design also includes turf fields and play areas. The building is scheduled to open in August of 2023.
Updates
Jul. 13, 2023 - Virtual Community Meeting
The Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design team held a virtual community meeting to provide an update on Douglas MacArthur construction and transition timeline.
Jun. 13, 2023 - Virtual Community Meeting
The Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design team held a virtual community meeting to provide an update on Douglas MacArthur construction and transition timeline.
Mar. 28, 2023 - Virtual Community Meeting
The Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design team held a virtual community meeting to provide an update on the Douglas MacArthur design, construction timelines, and transition logistics.
Dec. 12, 2022 - Virtual Community Meeting
The Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design team held a virtual community meeting to provide an update on the Douglas MacArthur design, construction timelines, and transition logistics.
Please send your feedback to Arte’a Funderburk, CIP communications specialist, at artea.funderburk@acps.k12.va.us.
Community Engagement
The MacArthur community will be involved in the design and build of the new school in several ways.
Communicating with the Douglas MacArthur community is a very important part of this project. In order to ensure community feedback, we have created an Advisory Group of community members as well as a School Advisory Team made up of school administrators, staff and teachers. These groups will provide input to the core project team of ACPS staff and the architect group DLR.
Skanska, the project development and construction group hired for this project, also has a site-specific Project Website that provides up-to-date information on site construction, traffic concerns and FAQs.
Community members are also welcome to send comments to the project team at newmacarthur@acps.k12.va.us
Advisory Group Members:
|
NAME
|
ORGANIZATION/TITLE
|
EMAIL ADDRESS
|
|---|---|---|
|
Lisa Porter |
Clover College Park Civic Association |
lkporter78@gmail.com |
|
Bill Pfister |
Parent and Community Member |
wcpfister@gmail.com |
|
Elliot Rhodeside |
Community Member |
elliotr@rhiplaces.com |
|
Kristina Seppala |
Douglas MacArthur PTA |
kristina@camelbackstrategy.com |
|
Kelly Booz |
Taylor Run Civic Association |
kbooz@aft.org |
|
Mindy Lyle |
Alexandria Planning Commission |
mindylyle@comcast.net |
|
Margaret Lorber |
School Board Member |
margaret.lober@acps.k12.va.us |
|
Randy Gore Edith S. Hawkins |
Campagna Center |
rgore@campagnacenter.org ehawkins@campagnacenter.org
|
|
Amy Jackson |
Alexandria City Council Member |
amy.jackson@alexandriava.gov |
|
Dana Colors |
Alexandria Park & Recreation Commission |
danacolors@gmail.com |
|
Gaynelle Diaz |
ARHA |
gdiaz@arha.us |
|
Jeanette Chuck |
Parent and Community Member |
jeanette.chuck@gmail.com |