В Шарлоттсвилле торжественно открыли обновленную среднюю школу после реконструкции на 91,8 млн долларов

Charlottesville Middle School celebrates $91.8M renovation CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Students, teachers and school officials gathered this week to mark the opening of a newly renovated Charlottesville Middle School, the result of a $91.8 million modernization project years in the making. The entire school was present for the celebration, with students from all three grade levels — sixth, seventh and eighth — in attendance. The project transformed the former Buford Middle School, adding a four-story academic building and gym, along with new science and engineering labs and an expanded performing arts center. Charlottesville School Board Chair Lisa Torres said the celebration marked the end of a long road. “Today, we are here to celebrate making it across the finish line,” Torres said. Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade spoke at the event, addressing students directly. “A great school does not make or tell you who you are going to be. Instead, it inspires you to be the best version of yourself. That is what Charlottesville Middle School is all about,” Wade said. Among the changes is the return of sixth graders to the middle school — something that has not happened in nearly 40 years. “The last time 6th graders were at the middle school was in 1988 — that’s a long time ago,” said Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent Royal Gurley. Their arrival is part of a broader reconfiguration across the district, which also moves fifth graders back to elementary schools and relocates preschoolers to a centralized campus. Eighth grader Devin Coles, who has been at the school through the construction period, said the building has given him room to grow. “This school has really let me grow and really let me express myself through my love and passion for music and through my thoughts on creativity,” Coles said. Torres reflected on the transformation as students filled the new hallways. “I don’t know about you but it brings tears to my eyes to see what Buford has become,” she said. Whether more Charlottesville schools could see similar updates may depend on voters this November. Charlottesville City Council voted to place a referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters to approve a 1% local sales tax increase, with all proceeds restricted to school construction and renovations. Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here. Copyright 2026 WVIR. All rights reserved.