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Patriot Pop Quiz: North Campus

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Think you know a lot about Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ? Let’s find out if we can stump you with this Patriot Pop Quiz.


Question:

Which nearby former high school building did Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ once own and use as part of its campus?

Vintage photo of a college library in the 1970s
From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

Answer:

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ once occupied the former Fairfax High School building, located on Fairfax Boulevard between Fairfax Circle and the intersection of Routes 50 and 29. From 1972 to 1983, George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ operated a satellite campus, known as North Campus, at the location.

Former Fairfax High School with a Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ sign on the front
Façade of the campus building in 1975. From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

The original Fairfax High School building opened in 1935. In 1972, the growing student population moved into a new building, the current Fairfax High School, located in the City of Fairfax on Lion Run.

George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was looking for additional facilities to host new programs in nursing, education, and business. Space on campus was limited, and enrollment was doubling every two years. The university purchased the former high school from Fairfax County Schools for $1.8 million. The property consisted of approximately 100,000 square feet of space (including classrooms, a cafeteria, library, and theater), and 16 acres of land, which included athletic fields.

Baseball player in front of former Fairfax High School
Baseball field in 1974, featuring a game between George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and Georgetown. From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

In 1983, George Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ sold the property to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, which used the space for Pope Paul VI High School. Today, the historic building is part of the Boulevard VI housing development.

Follow the on and for more Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ history.

Cafeteria in the former high school building
The cafeteria in 1976. From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

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