FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the project really happening?
Yes! The design team has been approved by the Board of Education to proceed with the design of the project.
When will construction begin?
The design of a project of this size requires coordination with multiple stakeholders, county departments and state agencies. To allow time for this coordination and design work, we anticipate construction beginning late Fall 2022.
Will there be meetings to discuss what students need in the new buildings?
Yes! The design team will meet and work with key stakeholders (teachers, students, staff, parents, community organizations, regulatory agencies etc.) throughout the design process. There will also be larger, general meetings where we will update the community on our progress.
What was the conceptual design concept that was approved by the Board of Education?
The Board of Education approved the Hybrid Option IIIA outlined in the final Feasibility Study Report dated March 7, 2019. This combines the comprehensive student high school with the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in one building that shares large core spaces such as gyms, cafeteria and the media center. However, the building will be designed with separate entrances and maintain individual school program identities.
Does this project include program spaces within the existing CTE building?
No, there was a decision by PGCPS Leadership team to relocate the CTE programs to Crossland HS. We have included some additional spaces within the comprehensive Suitland high school to include some technical Career Academy spaces. We will work with the community to develop a time frame and capital budget for the relocation of the CTE spaces to Crossland HS.
Does this project include Drew Freeman Middle School to be renovated or built new on this existing campus?
No, Drew Freeman Middle School will be modernized separately with another budget and contract delivery method. The details of this project will be forthcoming by the CEO.
Does this project include a full stadium facility with practice fields?
Yes, if you refer to the Board of Education approved Hybrid option IIIA, this will show a regulation size stadium, artificial turf field, track, lighting, and team facility to include rest-rooms and concessions.
The location of all fields may change as we finalize the design of the site along with the future design of the Drew Freeman Middle school portion of the site.
The location of all fields may change as we finalize the design of the site along with the future design of the Drew Freeman Middle school portion of the site.
Where will graduating students from Drew-Freeman MS go when the building is being constructed?
As per feeder patterns, the students graduating from Drew-Freeman Middle School should matriculate to Suitland High School, unless they are in specialized programs not offered at Suitland High School, of the students are instructed to attend another school based on home address. Note: the Suitland High School Modernization Project has been designed to have phases - with the added benefit of maintaining operating occupancy throughout construction.