The collaboration between the City and Norfolk Public Schools began in 2014.
NORFOLK, VA – The final chapter has closed in the “Building the Future Initiative” to construct five new schools for Norfolk children. Today Norfolk city leaders, Norfolk Public Schools board members, and Department of Defense representatives, dedicated the new Camp Allen School.
The collaboration between the City and Norfolk Public Schools began in 2014. In 2015, City Council amended the comprehensive agreement with S.B. Ballard to $121 million for construction and $7.1 million to the school division for the purchase and installation of furniture, equipment and technology for the five new schools.
The City’s $133.1 million total investment built 21st century learning environments:
- Southside STEM Academy at Campostella (K-8) dedicated September 2016
- Richard Bowling Elementary (PreK -5) dedicated September 2016
- Larchmont Elementary (PreK – 5) dedicated October 2017
- Ocean View Elementary (PreK – 5) dedicated October 2017
- Camp Allen School (PreK-5) dedicated February 2020 in partnership with the Department of Defense
“Norfolk remains committed to creating successful partnerships to develop environments for our children to learn and grow. This modern facility will inspire students to be innovative and active learners. The design of its many features encourages inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and achievement. We are grateful for the support of the Department of Defense and their grant award of nearly $23 million which made the planning and construction of the new Camp Allen School possible,” said Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander.
“It was a wonderful partnership – between the Department of Defense, the City of Norfolk and Norfolk Public Schools -- that made the new building for Camp Allen Elementary a reality. The school has many fine features, such as bright, airy classrooms, a well-equipped media center, an all-inclusive playground, a full-size gymnasium and an outdoor classroom, to name a few. In short, this school provides a nurturing environment designed to encourage our students’ strong academic achievement and well-being. And in the end, those are its highest purposes,” said School Board Chairman Dr. Noelle Gabriel.
The new Camp Allen School was built with a $22,948,800 grant from the Office of Economic Adjustment with and additional $5,737,200 from the City. The building is LEED Certified Silver, has a full-sized gymnatorium, inclusive playground equipment, cafeteria, large media center and outdoor classroom.