$100 Million Wakefield High School Under Construction

Rendering Credit: Bowie Gridley Architects

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Contsruction is underway on the new $100 million Wakefield High School, one of three public comprehensive high schools in Arlington County.

The project involves the building of a new 380,000-square-foot, four-level school for a population of 1,600 students to replace the existing 60-year-old building.

Rockville, Md.-based Forrester Construction is the contractor for the project.

In addition to 50 classrooms, a large student commons area, and new science labs, the new facility will include music and art rooms, a media center, and a 625-seat auditorium.

Athletic facilities at the high school will include two gyms, new athletic fields, two indoor pools, a diving well, and a geothermal heating and cooling plant.

Once the new building is occupied, the existing school and pool buildings will be abated and demolished.

Though required to meet LEED Silver certification standards, the project is expected to achieve LEED Gold, according to Forrester officials.

Owned by Arlington Public Schools, the new high school was designed by Bowie Gridley Architects of Washington, D.C.

Completion of the school building is scheduled before the 2013–14 school year begins, officials said.