When a coronavirus state of emergency set by Governor Ralph Northam was lifted this summer, it allowed students to return to the classrooms.

Some Prince William County students started the new academic year in two new schools built during the pandemic.

Potomac Shores Middle School is located near Dumfries, in the Potomac Shores neighborhood.

With its mascot, the Cardinal, Gainesville High School sits just outside Gainesville Magisterial District, neighboring Brentsville Magisterial District, directly behind the Jiffy Lube Live concert venue.

Prince William County Potomac District School Board member Justin Wilk praised the success of the new middle school's openinand its staff andas mentioned some challenges the school is experiencing. 

"I'm very happy that things have gotten off to such a good start. The school is staffed with quality teachers, and Principle Joe Murgo has done a phenomenal job. There have been some challenges, we do need some crosswalks to ensure that the students can get to school safely. There's also the issue of so many parents driving their kids to school and getting everyone in on time."

Wilk's involvement in the naming of Potomac Shores involved taking meetings with residents whose children were drawn into the new school's boundaries. In a press release made by Prince William County Schools about the naming of Potomac Shores in Oct. 2020, Wilk stated that the name earned overwhelming support from residents who wanted the name to represent something based in the community.

Gainesville High School, the 13th high school to be opened in Prince William County, has also received praise from Brentsville District School Board member Adele Jackson, who sent a statement to Potomac Local News.

"I had the pleasure of visiting Gainesville High School a few times since school started and I am very impressed with the building, as well as the students and staff. I extend my gratitude to our supportive staff and Gainesville families. It's exciting to have the school year up and running at Gainesville High School."

Other names that were in the competition included naming the school after county police officer Ashley Guindon, who was shot and killed on her first day of duty in February 2016 while responding to a domestic dispute. Also in the running was Lillian Orlich, a 67-year career teacher, and counselor who spent the majority of her career at Osbourn Park High School.

Prince William County, the state's second-largest school division, welcomed back about 90,000 students at the start of the school year on August 23. It's the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 that the majority of students have been back in a classroom for five days a week.