Buford Middle School

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Buford Middle School opened in August 1966 as one of the City of Charlottesville Public Schools' two Junior High Schools, along with Walker Junior High (now Walker Upper Elementary School). In 1988, it became the City's only middle school offering classes in the 7th and 8th grade.

The school is named after Florence Buford, who taught in the City's school system for 37 years, starting as a history teacher at Lane High in 1927, then becoming the first principal of Clark Elementary School when it opened in 1931, until her retirement in 1964.

The Buford Middle School motto is "Ready for Greatness."[1]

Buford students also have access to the Buford Schoolyard Garden Project.

Stephanie Carter became the principal before the 2018-2019 school year. [2] She will leave to become director of CATEC and will be succeeded by Jesse Turner. [3]

School Population

  • Enrollment: 477
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: 4.0%
  • African American: 48.4%
  • Hispanic: 6.7%
  • White: 40.9%
  • ESL students: 15.1%
  • Gifted students: 29.4%
  • Special Education students: 14.7%
  • Pupil/teacher ratio: 16.25:1

Grade reconfiguration

Since 1988, the City of Charlottesville's school system has maintained two separate schools for grades 5-6 and 7-8 for the students between elementary and high school. In response to an efficiency study, the Charlottesville School Board decided in October 2010 to create a single middle school housing grades 6-8 at either the Walker Upper Elementary School or Buford Middle School complex. Grade 5 would return to existing elementary schools.[reconfig 1]

In October 2010, school officials said the grade reconfiguration changes would occur after the 2011-12 school year and that the major renovation projects were expected to cost around $36 million.[reconfig 2]

In February 2011, the Charlottesville School Board decided to create a consolidated middle school at Buford Middle School by 2015. Walker will be refurbished for preschool, adult education, and central office staffing needs.[reconfig 3]

However, the plan did not come to pass as of May 2016.

In December 2019, the city issued a request of proposals for a firm to come up with a new plan for how to proceed due January 30, 2020. [4]

Map

Buford Middle School is located at 1000 Cherry Avenue Charlottesville, VA 22903.


References

  1. Web. Buford Middle School: Ready for Greatness, retrieved 1 June 2012.
  2. Web. Four new Charlottesville principals charting course for academic year, Josh Mandell, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, September 2, 2018, retrieved September 2, 2018.
  3. Web. Albemarle HS principal headed to city for Buford Middle School job, Katherine Knott, News Article, Daily Progress, May 21, 2019, retrieved June 1, 2019.
  4. Web. Charlottesville takes next step in Buford/Walker reconfiguration, Katherine Knott, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, December 19, 2019, retrieved December 18, 2019. Print. December 20, 2019 page A1.

Grade reconfiguration

  1. Web. City school grade configurations to change, Rachana Dixit, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, retrieved 4 Nov. 2010.
  2. Web. City middle school plan could cost $36 million, Rachana Dixit, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, retrieved 4 Nov. 2010.
  3. Web. City School Board OKs budget; Buford to house middle-schoolers, Brandon Shulleeta, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 17 Feb 2011, retrieved 6 March 2011.

External Links