Framework for the Future 2030

Capacity of Newport News Public Schools

Newport News Public Schools had been over capacity at the elementary school level for several years.  To address this, a new elementary school was constructed on the Fort Eustis military base and opened in November 2003.  The opening of the school helped to relieve some of the crowding in schools in the northern section of the City, but elementary enrollment continues to exceed the capacity in many schools.  Seventy-three (73) relocatable classrooms accommodate this excess enrollment.  Earlier Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) provided funds for facility improvement and included building additions to two elementary schools to provide for additional space.  Due to the need to replace or renovate major building systems in many schools, the current CIP does not include projects that increase classroom space.

Rebuilding the Capital Plant Infrastructure – A Comprehensive Study of the Capital Needs of Newport News Public Schools, indicated that major priorities for the division include capital asset renovations/replacements (including roof replacement and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system replacements), paving, and corrections to safety concerns.

The buildings in the Newport News school system range in age from nearly 100 years old to new.  Four school buildings, Heritage High, Woodside High, Passage Middle, and General Stanford Elementary are less than 10 years old.  With an average age of school buildings being 39 years, the school system faces the challenge of renovating older buildings.

Table 5-2, 5-3, 5-4 and 5-5 compare enrollment and capacity in the City's public schools.  In addition to traditional school buildings, the school division also supports education programs in an office complex (Enterprise Academy), the former Newport News Airport terminal (Aviation Academy), and early childhood centers.