Evening star., 1944-04-02
2Mi|Iion School
Project Planned
Al Alexandria
Another Wing to
George Washington
High Under Study

lprovement program in Alexandria
which includes completion of the
George Washington High School by
the addition of another wing, was
ANNOUNCED yesterday by City Man.
lager Carl Budwesky.
The program, which was pre-
Isented by the Alexandria Board OF
Education at joint meeting with
the City Council last week, will be
discussed at meeting Of the coun-
|cil Wednesday night.
Addition of wing to the high
school, it was explained. would re-
lieve congestion in the cafeteria
and supply additional space TO
handle increased enrolment with
out sacrificing nonacademic activ-
tiles and vocational subjects.
Other Projects Listed.
Other contemplated improve
ments include construction of a
concrete stadium to seat 1000 per-
sons. swimming pool and an ad-
ditional gymnasium with stands to
seat 1000 persons.
T. G. Williams, superintendent OF
schools, said yesterday that he be-
lieves the high school enrolment
which has been increasing even dur
ing the war, will reach a peak after
the war when there are fewer rea-
sons to keep high school age STU
dents from completing the entire
course.
Planned for the elementary
schools are enlargements of all ex-
isting school buildings to provide
cafeteria and auditorium space, as
well as to permit complete element
ary instruction in each school, so
that children could remain in the
same school for the seven element
ary grades. AS it is now, students
in some schools change twice before
entering high school.
The plan calls for abandonment
Of the Lee School for teaching pur-
poses and its use as an Office build
ing and possibly for recreation
Office and juvenile court purposes
as well.
Two New Schools Planned.
A new school would have to be
built in the southeastern section OF
the city, either as an. addition to
the Washington School, or in a new
location. Plans for a new clement
ary school in the northeastern Sec
ton of the city were also discussed
The program calls for an addition
to the Mount Vernon School to
provide an auditorium, shop and
gymnasium and similar additions te
the Jefferson and George Mason
Schools to provide adequate cafe
terra space, as well as auditoriums
The Board of Education has also
considered making the Dougla.
Macarthur and Charles D. Barrett
schools, built as temporary struc.
lures by the Federal Works Agency
into permanent structures.
The Macarthur School, LOCATED
on Janney's lane and now SERVING
the Cameron Valley and Chinquapir
Village sections, would be brici
veneered and enlarged. The Barrett
School at Parkfairfax, would alse
have to be greatly enlarged, since Il
has not met the needs of the de.
velopment. 1t. was opened last year
To Aid CoIored Students.
In order to provide more ade.
|quate facilities for !colored children
lit is proposed that a new high schoo
lbe constructed. and the presen
Parker-Gray colored high school a.
well as the Lyles-Grouch Schoo
be used for colored elementary
schools, but with additions to pro.
wide cafeteria space.
Mr.. Williams said he believes thai
at some future date the Alexandra
schools should have a 12-year in.
stead Of an 11-year system. Hi.
idea Is to make the elementary
course six-year system, with thu
possible addition of a kindergarten
when the seventh grade is taken ou1
OF the schools, and a six-year course
of diversified education" to cover
the present high school curriculum
with the addition of subjects anc
opportunities not now offered.
He stated that he does not favor
the creation of junior high school.
as such, bat believes the present
program for the physical develop.
ment of the school plant would lenc
itself to some such program at 6
future date.