Dunn Loring Capital Project
Repurposing of Property with New School Construction
The Dunn Loring Administrative Center will be replaced with a new Dunn Loring Elementary School. The new school will help with overcrowding in the Dunn Loring/Falls Church/Tysons areas. Renovations with additions will total approximately 122,979 SF.
Latest Update: November 17, 2025
Dunn Loring Renderings Gallery
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Honoring the History of Dunn Loring Center
The Dunn Loring Administrative Center project will create a new elementary school, addressing the needs of a rapidly growing community and restoring the site to its original purpose. Honoring the historical significance of the building and land is an important part of the project. Artifacts from the original building will be preserved and displayed in the future elementary school. Additional ways to honor this important history are also being considered.
The Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan recognizes these sites and encourages preservation when possible. However, at least 60 sites have been demolished since the creation of the inventory. The original Dunn Loring School building will be among those that must be replaced to better serve the community. Doing so does not diminish the historical importance of the land on which it sits.
The addition of a new elementary school in this area will positively impact as many as ten other elementary schools by relieving the pressures of increasing enrollment growth. As we celebrate the future, we will continue to remember the past. We hope the preservation of select artifacts and a thoughtful display will invite future generations to learn more about the story of the Dunn Loring School.
- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Approves Dunn Loring Elementary School Rezoning. On February 5, 2025, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning request for Dunn Loring Elementary School (RZ-2023-PR-0018) with a unanimous vote of 10-0.
Sustainability – School design is currently pursuing an updated design which will drive the school’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) from EUI-29 (orig. design) to EUI-10 through the implementation of ground-sourced geothermal HVAC systems, solar/solar ready roofscapes, and many other lesser-known methods of reducing energy usage. Dunn Loring Elementary School will be one of the most energy efficient elementary schools in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Testing geothermal potential at Dunn Loring Elementary School is great step towards sustainability and energy efficiency. The test wells prove the presence and potential of geothermal resources by assessing the temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the subsurface fluids, essentially determining whether the site has enough heat energy to be viable for geothermal energy extraction. By drilling test wells, FCPS can determine if the site has enough geothermal heat to power the school, which results in lower energy costs in the long run and reduces FCPS carbon footprint.
The site plan permit plan will be provided to the county for review and approval. Building plans are being readied for submission to the county.
Future Community Meetings
No meetings are scheduled at this time.
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Key Build Information
Funding: 2017 Bond (Planning), 2019 Bond (Construction)
Future Building Area: 127,926 SF
Building Area: NA
Acreage: 9.3
Prior Renovation:NA
Prior Capacity Enhancement: NA
Architect: Samaha Associates, PC
Contractor: TBD
Current Status: Permitting
Estimated Completion: TBD
School Information
Address: 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027
FCPS Region: TBD
Grades: PreK-6
HS Pyramid: TBD
MS Feeder: TBD
Opened: n/a
Title 1: TBD
K-3 Cap: TBD
Programs: TBD
Past Engagement, Planning & Construction Information
Some have expressed concern that the original building, as a whole or in portions, would not be reused. The design consultant evaluated the potential to reuse any portion of the building as part of the design process. Unfortunately, we could not keep any of the original building and meet current educational requirements. To attempt to reuse the building would also increase costs significantly.
In June 2022, at the onset of the design process, FCPS staff and design consultant engaged Fairfax County staff from the Department of Planning and Development, Heritage Resources. The inquiry was specifically regarding the historical significance of the building and our inability to repurpose the physical structure. At that time, the County’s Preservation Planner and History Commission liaison shared information on the local inventory of historic sites, and that the Architectural Review Board could be engaged for input on a voluntary basis.
While the building does have a history, there are no limitations on our ability to modify or replace the structure. The Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites includes approximately 350 historically significant sites ranging from the internationally known Mount Vernon to numerous anonymous sites and structures including churches, bridges, houses, and graveyards. The Dunn Loring School is included on this inventory. The inventory is an honorary distinction but does not impose restrictions for property owners.
We have met and learned the concerns of the Fairfax County History Commission. As planning and design continues on this project, we are partnering with them in the process and work together to ensure student needs are met while we honor and preserve the history of the Dunn Loring building and the land.
December 4, 2024: Community Meeting
September 23, 2024: Community Meeting
November 10, 2022:Community Meeting
September 21, 2022:Design Feedback & Engagement Committee Meeting #2
June 6, 2022:Design Feedback & Engagement Committee Meeting #1
March 10, 2022:School Board Meeting
- Agenda (March 2022)
- View Recording - Agenda Item 5.07 - Dunn Loring Elementary Project at 1:45:27
February 10, 2022:Board Meeting
- Agenda (February 2022) - Item 6.07 Award of Contract
February 3, 2021:School Board Meeting
- Agenda (February 2021) - Action on the FY2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Motion Amendment for “Fairfax/Oakton” to “Dunn Loring ES”
January 5, 2021:School Board Meeting
- Agenda (January 2021)
- View Recording - Agenda Item 1.02 - Dunn Loring Elementary Project at 25:27
December 17 2020:Joint PTA meeting (Mosaic [former Mosby Woods], Providence, Oakton elementary schools)
