School and county leaders broke ground Aug. 9, 2023, on the 13th middle school in Chesterfield County Public Schools, the largest school system in central Virginia. 

The three-story school is being built in the Matoaca District on 105 acres next to Westerleigh Parkway. Virginia Public School Authority bonds are the main source of funds for the school, which is expected to cost almost $100 million. The remainder of construction dollars are coming from other local sources.

Built for 1,800 students, the 254,084-square-foot West Area Middle school positions sixth, seventh and eighth graders on separate floors. Each “grade house” contains 19 regular classrooms and five science labs, as well as dispersed conference rooms, teacher workrooms and offices. In addition to the grade houses, an exploratory wing offers electives in such courses as art, world language, technology/fabrication, business and family and consumer science.

The school's main entrance includes a security vestibule flanked by administrative offices and the counseling department. The school includes a 1,000-seat auditorium, 650-student capacity cafeteria, 1,200-seat gym with adjacent locker rooms and an auxiliary gym. A music suite next to the auditorium includes spaces for band, chorus, orchestra and drama. The media center is located on the second floor next to the grade houses.

The school site will include an eight-lane running track around a soccer field, two play fields, two softball fields and tennis and basketball courts. The site will also include parking, drop-off areas and roadwork.

At the Nov. 12, 2024 regular monthly meeting, the School Board heard a presentation regarding attendance boundaries for the new west area middle school. See the presentation from the School Board meeting here. Watch the board meeting on BoardDocs. 

A web app can help families see, based on their current address, how each redistricting option presented would impact them. Within the app, add your address into the search bar and press enter. The school your child would attend under each option will be shown. Please note: The web app does not provide information about possible changes of center-based gifted sites.

Before the School Board votes on the attendance boundaries, a public meeting was held on Monday, Nov. 18 at Cosby High School where school division staff members presented the options under consideration and community members had an opportunity to ask questions. A survey seeking feedback on options was provided directly to families who may be impacted.

• Aug. 9, 2023: Chesterfield County Public Schools breaks ground on new middle school

• Feb. 14, 2024: Chesterfield County School Board seeks ideas for new school name

• April 10, 2024: Chesterfield School Board seeks input on three potential names for new middle school

• Nov. 12, 2024: School Board approves name for new middle school