Bristol, Virginia Welcomes New Virginia Intermediate School
The city of Bristol, Virginia is buzzing with excitement as the newly constructed Virginia Intermediate School prepares to open its doors to students. This state-of-the-art facility is getting ready to house the community’s second through fifth graders, marking a significant moment for Bristol Virginia Public Schools (BVPS).
Virginia Intermediate School is more than just a new building; it represents a consolidation effort that saw the closure of Highland View Elementary School, Washington-Lee Elementary School, and Stonewall Jackson Elementary School. This strategic move aimed to centralize resources and provide students with a modern learning environment. According to BVPS superintendent David Scott, this was a necessary step to manage costs associated with maintaining older buildings.
“Over the past decade, as we’ve evaluated the costs of keeping our aging schools in good condition, we decided several years ago to refocus our resources and create a new school that would bring all our students together on one campus,” Scott explained.
The new school is located in Sunset Park, right next to the newly renamed Virginia Primary School, which now accommodates pre-kindergarten through first-grade students. In a touching tribute to the history of the closed schools, a brick from each has been placed at a corner of the new building. Scott noted the importance of this gesture, saying, “Even though we are beginning a new chapter, we’re very proud and very fond of the history that we’ve had in those other schools.”
Virginia Intermediate School marks the first new school in BVPS in the last 50 years, and excitement is high. Students will be treated to advanced learning opportunities such as rotating through a dedicated STEM lab. The school is also fully handicap accessible, including the playground areas. Security features have been a top priority as well, with a two-entrance process and specialized locks on the doors.
Scott believes this new school will be viewed as a chance to deliver top-quality education to all students in Bristol. “We have brought together so many resources,” he remarked. “We have fantastic new technology in place, and there’s something special about walking into a new building and feeling that the entire community values your education.”
Teachers are currently putting the final touches on their classrooms, and preparations are in full swing to ensure everything is perfect for when students arrive on August 14. The school system is keeping in close contact with parents to guide them on the best traffic routes for drop-off and pick-up, ensuring a smooth first day.
The Bristol community is also eagerly awaiting a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will be held on August 8 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., to officially inaugurate the new school. Additionally, discussions are ongoing about the future of the now-closed elementary school properties, although no final decisions have been made by the city council as of yet.
The construction and unveiling of Virginia Intermediate School represent a moment of pride and progress for Bristol, Virginia. With enhanced facilities and a dedication to remembering the past while looking forward to the future, the school is set to offer an enriching environment for its students. The countdown to August 14 is on, and both educators and families are looking forward to what promises to be a bright new school year.
