Students, teachers, administrators, elected officials, and other community members gathered last night for the dedication of the new Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School.
The high school is located on 13833 Dumfries Road in Manassas, and is named after Senator Charles “Chuck” Colgan, Virginia’s longest serving senator and former owner of Colgan Airlines.
According to school documents, the facility is 339,636 square feet, and can hold 2,200 students. The site is also the home of the new Prince William County Schools Aquatic Center, which has a 25-meter stretch and dive pool, and a separate leisure pool that will be rented out to teams and organizations, as well as being open to the public, according to school documents.
During the ceremony, several individuals spoke about the future of the school, and Colgan’s legacy in the community.
“Colgan High School will be an incredible school, shaping young minds and opening the doors to tremendous opportunities…Senator Colgan fought for school funding through every one of those difficult state budgets. He wasn’t shy about working across party lines and building a consensus in support of education,” said Superintendent Dr. Steven Walts.
“Preparing and inspiring students for their future – that’s our vision at Colgan High School. No matter what our students aspire to achieve after high school, we want to ensure that they’re prepared and inspired. One without the other does not work,” said Colgan High School Principal Dr. Timothy Healey.
The school will open on August 29, with all other Prince William County schools.