CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville City Schools has been selected as the recipient of the former Federal Executive Institute property at no cost. A CCPS release says they’ve “received notification that the U.S. Department of Education approved the division’s application to acquire the Federal Executive Institute (FEI). Because the property will serve an educational purpose, the division will be granted a Public Benefit Allowance discount of 100 percent, acquiring FEI through the Federal Real Property Assistance Program at no cost.”

CCPS was the recipient over at least one known entity, the University of Virginia, who last week indicated they had submitted an application April 21.

“On behalf of all of our students, we are delighted by this news,” stated Superintendent Dr. Royal A. Gurley, Jr. “This property will allow us to expedite and advance student programs – from preschool to alternative learning to expanded educational programming at CHS – that will benefit the entire school system and community. I also want to thank the City – particularly City Manager Sam Sanders, for strong and nimble leadership in a fast-moving application process.”

According to the notification from the U.S. Department of Education, the application’s approval is “based on the condition and requirement that a clear majority of the property is used consistently for PreK classroom use with administrative use secondary.” This requirement aligns with Charlottesville City Schools’ plans. Moving preschool and administrative offices to FEI will furthermore free up other CCS properties for the expansion of the division’s alternative-education programming and programs to serve students with special needs.

“Opportunities that benefit our schools are also a benefit to the entire community and our future of the City of Charlottesville,” said City Manager Sam Sanders. “The acquisition of this property by the schools is truly a generational win. We want to thank the federal employees who have been guiding us through this process, and we appreciate this vote of confidence that we will be good stewards of this campus.”

Next steps include a more thorough review of the facilities and the finalization of the agreement with the U.S. Department of Education. Staff who will maintain the campus will move on site soon after the property transfer is complete, and division administration staff will start moving over in phases soon thereafter. Planning and design for the centralized preschool, slated to open in Fall 2026, will begin immediately.

Using $30 million already allocated by the City for the consolidation of the preschool from six separate sites into one, CCS will make interior renovations at the FEI to create classroom spaces with connected restrooms to allow for the preschool to open on schedule in August 2026. In the future, CCS will also add an ADA connector to join several existing FEI buildings while preserving the historic integrity and landscape features of the campus. With full fencing, no visibility from the road, and a pool that could be converted into a play space or splash pad, the grounds of FEI are well-suited to outdoor play for our youngest learners. Additionally, the facilities have space for dedicated early-intervention services for preschoolers such as speech and physical therapy.

“Following the fast pace of the federal application process, it will take us some time to build out these plans, but we are eager and prepared to execute,” added Kim Powell, Chief Operations Officer of Charlottesville City Schools. “This was a rare moment when opportunity, need, and the ability to act quickly all aligned.”

CCS will also centralize all of its administrative offices on the campus of FEI. This consolidation will substantially improve efficiency and communication among departments which, due to space constraints, currently operate out of several sites. At FEI, CCS will also be able to open a family welcome center, create dedicated staff training facilities, and establish space for School Board and other public meetings.
Click here for the entire CCPS release.