ASHBURN, Va. — A new elementary school in one of the area’s fastest-growing counties opened Monday, as Loudoun County attempts to keep up with its growing student enrollment.
Madison’s Trust Elementary School, in Ashburn, serves the Brambleton neighborhood, where single-family and townhouses continue to appear along Belmont Ridge Road.
On Monday morning, the U.S. and Virginia flags were pulled to the top of the flagpole at sunrise, as teachers arrived to welcome students. Superintendent Eric Williams greeted students and parents in the drop-off lane as teachers directed traffic.
“Most of the students here are former students of Creightons Corner Elementary School, and we’ve been dealing with high growth in that area for years, so this is going to be a great relief,” said Williams.
He said the overcrowding affected more than just classroom size.
“Anytime you’ve got more students than a school is built for, it makes everything harder, whether that’s in the cafeteria, the gym, or drop-off or pick-up,” said Williams.
As they dropped off two children who had previously attended Creightons Corner, Michelle Waters-Mahdi and her husband, Asad, said the new school is needed.
“We’re definitely happy with the better capacity here, and the teacher-student ratio here,” said Waters-Mahdi. “It’s very good for now.”
Walking her bicycle and two children up the front sidewalk, Kelli McMahon said, “It’s beautiful; we’re excited.”
“And nervous,” added daughter Mackenzie. “Meeting new kids — we just moved here.”
“It’s gonna be fun,” according to younger sister Stephanie.
Another school gets a new beginning — Hillsboro Elementary, in Purcellville, converts to Hillsboro Charter Academy.
The public school system estimates that 78,665 students are enrolled for the 2016-2017 year.
Student enrollment continues to increase in Loudoun: The Class of 2017 is made up of 5,910 seniors enrolled in the county’s 15 high schools; 3,433 members of the class entered kindergarten in August 2004.
The growth of school facilities will continue, especially in the Dulles South community, where a new elementary, middle school and high school are already in the pipeline.
Bond funding for school construction will be up for voter approval on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
