In Progress: Jennie Dean Elementary

The Manassas City School Board recently approved the contract for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, awarding the bid to Howard Shockey & Sons.

Jennie Dean Elementary School is named after Jennie Dean, who was born into slavery in Sudley Springs, Virginia in the late 1800s. Dean started the Manassas Industrial School, a vocational school for African-American children. That school continued in operation throughout Dean’s life; in 1977, the city of Manassas established its public school system and transformed Jennie Dean into a middle school. Thirteen years later, it emerged as an elementary school.

The elementary school currently serves preschool through fourth-grade students.

The aging infrastructure of the existing school ultimately led to a decision to replace the outdated structure with a new 108,162 SF, two-story elementary school building. Project scope includes site development, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, interior build-out, and finishes. The construction consists of a combination of steel-framing and load-bearing exterior masonry.

On December 20, 2024, city officials, school board members, city council, MCPS leadership, and community members gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking. The new building is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026.