NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — In Newport News, school administrators are writing a new chapter in the years-long effort to build a new school facility.
“We celebrate not just the start of a building but the beginning of countless opportunities for our students,” said Newport News School Board Vice Chairman Dr. Terri Best.
It is another milestone in constructing a state-of-the-art facility for Newport News students.
“A place where ideas flourish, dreams take shape and futures are built,” Best said.
On Thursday, city officials broke ground on the future Huntington Middle School site on Wickham Avenue. They said the school will focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.
“There was a comradery and an opportunity for students to learn," said Newport News School Board Chairman Lisa Surles-Law. "I’m just so excited that we’re going to have that opportunity in the 21st century.”
This moment brings back memories for Newport News Public School Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell who served as the principal and assistant principal for the middle school. She said seeing the groundbreaking within her current role is a major career highlight.
“To be able to look back and see the fruits of the labor of this community of the teachers at Huntington Middle School and how they’ve helped our students to flourish,” said Mitchell.
The future middle school will be located in the Southeast Community Resource Area (SECRA). The site will also include a new library and community center. But, city officials said construction on this project was the top priority.
“We’re going to have this as the anchor, the cornerstone…and we need to invest in that right now,” said Mayor Phillip Jones.
Despite breaking ground today, construction is estimated to begin in the coming weeks. School officials anticipate opening the new middle school for the 2026-2027 school year.