Charlottesville Middle School cuts the ribbon on first phase of renovations

By Gabby Womack

Published: Aug. 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM EDT|

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The former Buford Middle School, now Charlottesville Middle School, has completed phase one of its renovations.

The building comes with more modernized furniture, interior, and new ways for students to creatively express themselves.

Now that phase one is completed, the current seventh and eighth graders have been moved inside the newly renovated building.

While the building isn’t completely finished, staff say this shows a promising future.

“Last time students set foot in a brand new school was at Charlottesville High School in 1974 and tomorrow,” Charlottesville Superintendent Doctor Royal Gurley said. “We did not intend to wait another 50 years.”

Phase one is now complete and this building is the new home for Charlottesville Middle School.

“It’s been a long two years, but we’ve made it, and we’re here now, and it was well worth the wait,” Principal Rodney Jordan said.

Inside a new gymnasium, fitness rooms that lead to an outdoor terrace with rock climbing, an art terrace and plenty of natural light from this skyline.

Jordan says it’s been a long time coming.

“When you’re talking about almost 60 years of the old walls and interior rooms with no windows,” Jordan said. “This really touches me because I know the building we used to be in.”

The design came with considerable community input, from parents, students, and staff who wanted something different from the old building.

Ben Thompson with VMDO architects helped make that dream happen.

“That’s what architects do,” Thompson said. “We’re here to listen, and then the final product, we hope, is matching those goals and vision that are set forth early on by the city and by the school. It really was a community-driven design.”

Now it’s ready for the next generation.

“This is literally the best place to be from 8:30 until 3:15,” Jordan said. “It’s a great time for any child that will come to this school.”

Phase two will be finished in fall of 2026 with a new cafeteria. an additional wing and sixth graders will be joining them.

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