As Prince William County grapples with shifting enrollment patterns, declining birth rates, and increasing school capacity concerns, school leaders are moving forward with plans to open the county’s 14th high school in the 2029-30 school year.
The new school, which may feature specialized programs such as robotics and drone labs, is intended to relieve overcrowding in central and eastern Prince William County high schools, including Colgan, Freedom, and Woodbridge. However, with fewer students entering the school system than graduating, the long-term necessity of the new school and countywide redistricting remains a topic of debate.
Enrollment Trends and Capacity Imbalance
During a school board work session on January 15, officials discussed the declining birth rates and shifting population dynamics shaping school planning. According to data from the Virginia Department of Health, Prince William County recorded 5,761 births last year, a significant drop compared to previous years. The current enrollment pyramid shows a stark difference, with 1,600 fewer students entering kindergarten than those graduating from 12th grade.
“The declining enrollment in younger grades is something we must consider as we plan for future school capacity,” said Scott Halsey, an administrative coordinator in the school division’s facilities planning department.
At the same time, some schools, particularly in the eastern portion of the county, remain severely overcrowded. Freedom, Colgan, and Woodbridge high schools continue to operate above their intended capacities. The new high school, projected to hold 1,400 students, aims to address this issue by redistributing student populations.
However, the division faces the challenge of underutilized space in certain western area schools. Osbourn Park High School, outside Manassas, for example, has a capacity of 2,400, but only 1,400 students live within its attendance boundary. The school relies on transfers to maintain enrollment levels, with roughly 33% of its student body coming from outside its designated area.
The Impact of Redistricting
The opening of the 14th high school will necessitate a redistricting process affecting at least seven existing high schools: Colgan, Hylton, Forest Park, Woodbridge, Garfield, Freedom, and Potomac.
“If we’re going to open a new high school, it’s important to think about redistricting holistically instead of just shifting students from one overcrowded school to another,” said Woodbridge District School Board member Loree Williams, advocating for a countywide boundary review rather than a piecemeal approach.
While some board members support broader redistricting, others raised concerns about disrupting school communities and impacting existing specialty programs. Specialty programs, such as the biotech -program at Osbourn Park and the performing arts program at Colgan, are major enrollment drivers and could be key factors in balancing school capacities.
Planning for the Future
The work session also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize and expand school infrastructure. In addition to the 14th high school, the division’s Capital Improvement Program includes a new elementary school in Woodbridge, the expansion of Pennington Traditional School, and renovations to aging schools such as Fred Lynn Middle School and Dale City Elementary.
The district also incorporates sustainability initiatives, including expanded solar energy projects and high-efficiency LED lighting in school renovations.
Even with these investments, officials acknowledge the uncertainties of future enrollment trends. Some board members suggested monitoring demographic shifts closely to determine whether the planned school openings and renovations remain the best long-term strategy.
“This is a fluid process,” said Chief Operating Officer Vernon Boch. “Our goal is to create a school system that is flexible and responsive to the needs of our students now and in the future.”
As Prince William County Schools navigate these challenges, community input will play a key role. Public engagement sessions for the 14th high school, including discussions on potential specialty programs, are scheduled to begin in February.
For parents and students, the changes ahead could mean new school assignments, new programs, and a different educational landscape across the county.
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is the second-largest school division in Virginia, serving a diverse student population across urban, suburban, and rural communities. With a total enrollment of approximately 88,651 students, the division operates 96 schools, including 62 elementary schools, 18 middle schools, and 16 high schools, along with several specialty and alternative education centers.
