Manassas, Va. — School division officials recently provided an update on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, noting construction remains on time and on budget.
The school is slated for completion in May 2026, with students entering the classroom that fall.
In terms of construction progress, the structural footings have been completed, and the preparation for the concrete slab on the grade pours is finished. Concrete work will continue this month and the mechanical rough-ins for the new school that are in the stone underlayment have been completed at the site, Gfeller said.
While the property received significant rain that caused ongoing erosion control adjustments, that has not affected scheduling.
The new building’s aim is not only to enhance learning but also to honor the legacy of the school’s namesake, Jennie Dean. In an ongoing effort to honor the legacy of the school’s beloved namesake, graphics on the entrance window feature a silhouette of Jennie Dean empowering her students.
Dean was born into slavery in Sudley Springs and started the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893. She remained committed to the school until her death in 1913. In 1977, Manassas established its public school system, later transforming Jennie Dean into a middle school. Thirteen years later, it emerged as an elementary school.
Construction on the new building began earlier this year, following a Dec. 20 groundbreaking ceremony. The Manassas School Board approved the contract for the new school in November, awarding the bid to Howard Shockey & Sons for over $46.6 million. The figure is significantly lower than the roughly $62 million the division originally budgeted for the project.
“Substantial completion” of the new building is currently scheduled for May 31, 2026, with final completion 30 calendar days after.
Source: Inside Nova, story by Emily Seymour