Prince William County’s 13th high school has a name — Gainesville High School.
The school, which is being built at 13150 University Boulevard in the Gainesville District, is scheduled to open in August 2021.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place in May 2019.
Members of the Prince William County School Board unanimously approved the name, according to a release from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).
It’s meant to focus on a historic and growing part of the county, according to School Board Chairman Babur Lateef.
“When they no doubt go on to win state-wide awards, people will know that is Gainesville, that is Prince William County,” Lateef said.
The school’s library and media center is being named after Ashley Marie Guindon, a Prince William County police officer who died while serving the community in February 2016.
“Her name will live on, and students will know who she was and will be able to know of the service she gave as an officer and as a student,” School Board member Loree Williams said.
The student center will bear the name of Lillian Orlich, a former teacher and counselor. Orlich was with the school district for 67 years.
“Ms. Orlich dedicated over six decades to her students and gave a lifetime of service,” Gainesville School Board Representative Adele Jackson said. “The many emails we received detailed a woman whose impact will be felt for generations to come.”
Neil Beech, who has served as Principal of Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, will lead Gainesville High School.
“Now that we know the name of our new school, it’s even more exciting to begin planning and preparing for the 2021-22 school year, including the use of community input to choose our school mascot,” Beech said in a release.
