Henrico County Public Schools celebrated the opening of the new R.C. Longan Elementary School building with a ribbon-cutting celebration Wednesday. The new building, which will welcome students next week, replaces the original school that has served the community since the 1960s while remaining on the same site.

“As we prepare to welcome students into a modern school designed to serve as many as 750 children, we have the opportunity to honor everything that made the original Longan special while creating new traditions and possibilities for generations to come,” said Longan Principal Dr. Nicole Henderson.

School division and county leaders, elected officials and the family of the school’s namesake – longtime Board of Supervisors member Robert Coleman Longan – attended the event.

The new, two-story building has space for about 250 more students than the original Longan school. It features bigger classrooms, plenty of natural lighting, a STEAM lab and outdoor learning spaces. It was funded by a voter-approved 2022 bond referendum.

HCPS Superintendent Dr. Amy Cashwell said: “This is a learning space filled with opportunities for students to participate in creative and collaborative lessons in classrooms and common areas designed specifically for life-ready learning. This school is more than brick and mortar; it is a community, a haven, an opportunity for students to build relationships. We haven’t just created a place of instruction, but a place for genuine connection.”

A large willow oak tree that stands in front of the old school is nearing its natural end of life. Although it cannot be saved, the wood will be crafted into benches to be placed throughout the campus. As part of the project, 189 new trees will be planted throughout the campus.

Work at the site will continue as the old building is cleared to make space for a new playground, track and outdoor areas.