Providence ES
Providence Elementary School (Providence ES) is a Fairfax City public school currently undergoing a renovation and expansion project. 4 separate matters touch this place; each has its own status.
WSHCC
The West Side Human Community Center (WSHCC) is a city parks capital project that progressed through budgetary planning, land use approval, and City Council authorization over approximately one year. Through mid-2025, staff was preparing low, medium, and high cost-recovery scenarios for the facility, with community preference noted for open gym time over heavy rental use.
- Joint School Board Meeting
Providence ES will receive a 2-story addition and a bump-out on the front of the building to increase classroom size; currently in concept design phase.
Thaiss Park
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing a full redevelopment project contracted to Bright Masonry, Inc. for $7,725,650, approved by City Council on October 8, 2024. Construction began in December 2024 following utility relocation work and full park closure; the cross-county trail was kept open but made inaccessible from the park during construction.
- Joint School Board Meeting
Providence ES will receive a 2-story addition and a bump-out on the front of the building to increase classroom size; currently in concept design phase.
Providence ES Vestibule
The Providence ES Vestibule is a Schools Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project requiring a reappropriation of funds. The project was first discussed at the City Council Work Session on November 4, 2025, as part of a broader agenda item that also covered a reappropriation for an electrical program build-out at Fairfax HS and a 0.5 FTE addition to the Schools Superintendent position.
- Nov 4, 2025City Council · item 1dDiscussion on Reappropriation Resolution for Schools CIP Projects and 0.5 FTE Addition to Schools Superintendent Position
Providence ES is the location of the vestibule Schools CIP project discussed at this work session.
The Fairfax HS Electrical Program Build-Out is a Schools Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project requiring a reappropriation of funds to support the construction or expansion of an electrical program facility at Fairfax High School. The matter was first discussed at the November 4, 2025 City Council Work Session as part of a broader agenda item that also addressed a reappropriation for Providence ES vestibule improvements and a 0.5 FTE addition to the Schools Superintendent position; no formal vote was taken at that session.
- Nov 4, 2025City Council · item 1dDiscussion on Reappropriation Resolution for Schools CIP Projects and 0.5 FTE Addition to Schools Superintendent Position
Providence ES is the location of the vestibule Schools CIP project discussed at this work session.
- Oct 7, 2024School Board · item 2.02Student Representative Report
[2.02] Providence ES was noted for hosting their Providence Day event featuring interactive booths, live performances, and a Back to School Night. Both Mrs. McQuillen and Mrs. Hall noted attending the SCA officer induction ceremony at Providence ES.
- Mar 3, 2025School Board · item 2.02Student Representative Report: Siya Batra
[2.02] Batra reported that Providence ES held its History Fair, a PTA Bingo Night, Spirit Fridays, and announced an upcoming STEAM Night on March 13. Board members Hickman and Cecere shared their experiences reading at Providence ES for Read Across America, and Cecere commended the first annual History Fair at Providence and noted upcoming STEAM Night on March 13.
- School Referendum-Capital Funding Analysis; Mr. JC Martinez, City of Fairfax CFO — Joint Discussion with Mayor and City Council Presentation
[2.01] Identified as one of the schools included in the November 2024 bond referendum for renovations; design phase is currently in process and funded through $3 million in returned CIP funds.
- Sep 29, 2025School Board · item 1.01Joint FCPS SB Meeting Agenda Discussion
[1.01] A safety vestibule project at Providence ES was identified as a possible agenda topic for the December joint FCPS/COF school board work session.
- Dec 1, 2025School Board
Dr. Wright noted he was looking forward to visiting Providence ES the following day (December 2).
- Stakeholder Update – School Board (Amit Hickman)
Listening sessions were held for the Providence ES renovation for staff and residents.
- May 4, 2026School Board · item 2.02Student Representative Report
[2.02] Providence ES students were engaged in end-of-year learning projects, family engagement events, and sustainability activities. Superintendent Wright reported that the architecture and design teams have moved into the next phase of the renovation project at Providence ES; he attended the renovation and design community and staff meetings there, as well as the Mid-Atlantic AVID principal collaborative meeting.
In full
The school was included in the November 2024 bond referendum for renovations, with the design phase funded through $3 million in returned CIP funds. The planned renovation includes a 2-story addition and a bump-out on the front of the building to increase classroom size; as of May 2026, the project is in the concept design phase, with architecture and design teams having moved into the next phase.
Separately, a safety vestibule project at Providence ES has been identified as a CIP project and was raised as a potential topic for a joint FCPS/City of Fairfax school board work session. Beyond capital projects, Providence ES has been active in community and academic programming, including hosting a Providence Day event (October 2024), a first annual History Fair, PTA Bingo Night, Spirit Fridays, a STEAM Night (March 2026), and end-of-year family engagement and sustainability activities. Listening sessions for the renovation were held for staff and residents as of late 2025.