Hanover County Public Schools has broken ground on two replacement elementary schools, marking the second and third schools constructed in Hanover County since 2008.
Students, families, faculty and staff, members of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors and School Board, state legislators, county and school division officials, and other distinguished guests celebrated the groundbreaking of Battlefield Park Elementary School (BPES) on March 18 and Beaverdam Elementary School (BES) on March 24. Both schools are set to open for the 2026-27 school year.
“These groundbreaking ceremonies are more than shovels, dirt, and hardhats. They represent an ongoing commitment to our students, our staff, our families, and our community – a promise that we are continuing to invest in the future of public education in Hanover County,” said Dr. Lisa Pennycuff, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “These new schools honor and build on the cherished legacies that have been built at Battlefield Park and Beaverdam. These buildings will be beacons in our community; places where young minds grow, where curiosity is nurtured, where some lifelong friendships will begin, and where students are set up for success long beyond their time as an elementary school student.”
She added: “From our county’s leaders to school staff to our architect and contractor, we are at this point as the result of careful planning, collaboration, and the unwavering support of those who believe in the power of public education. We are building more than just schools – we are creating a foundation for opportunity, learning, and a brighter future for generations to come.”
BPES Principal Mrs. Jackie McCaleb and BES Principal Dr. Glynda Smith served as the hosts for their respective ceremonies, which included remarks by School Board and Board of Supervisors representatives, Dr. Pennycuff, and Mr. Josh Bower of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, the architectural firm that is leading the design of both schools.
“From the opening of Ashland Elementary School this school year to the groundbreaking of these two new school buildings with others planned in the near future, the message is clear: the Hanover County School Board is committed to providing students – our why – with the highest quality learning environments,” said Mr. Bob May, the Chair of the School Board representing the South Anna District. “These state-of-the-art schools reinforce our commitment to academic excellence, student success, and a bright future for Hanover County’s children.”
“Hanover County’s people, tradition, and spirit will continue to flourish inside these two new school buildings,” said F. Michael Herzberg IV, the Chair of the Board of Supervisors representing the Cold Harbor District. “The Board of Supervisors is proud to be investing in the future of our school buildings as we know the important place they hold in our communities. While the building will be new, the same passion and talent that our teachers and support staff show every day will remain the same, and we are thankful for their work.”
Construction on both schools will take place over the next 17 months. The current school campuses will remain operational during that time.
More information about these projects can be found on dedicated construction pages on the HCPS website (
Battlefield Park ES |
Beaverdam ES).