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by Annabelle Kinney, WDBJ — Dec. 19, 2024

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – After nearly two years of construction, a new middle school has opened its doors in Wytheville.

Students are now hitting the books in brand new classrooms at the Scott Memorial Middle School’s new location that connects to George Wythe High School on Maroon Way.

“We had a countdown, we were excited,” said Tatum Cornett, an 8th grade student.

The $28 million middle school is the first school to be built in Wythe County in the last 20 years.

Some reasons for building a new school were that the location was outdated and did not have central air conditioning.

Wythe County Schools Superintendent Wesley Pool says having the new middle school and high school on the same campus is a win for everyone.

“It saves a lot of time as far as classroom time and you don’t have teachers going across town and students on buses going all across town,” said Poole.

George Wythe and Scott Memorial can now also share the athletic fields, a kitchen and the auditorium

A new gym, media center and touchscreen technology in every classroom are just a few of the new school’s features.

“There’s more learning spaces for students and staff to go to. The gym has a partition that is helpful with our PE classes as well,” said Brad Haga, the director of facilities and operations.

School leaders say they hope to turn the old Scott Memorial Middle School site into a new elementary school in the future.