School History: Groveton Elementary (2000-Present)

On October 30, 2003, the Fairfax County School Board awarded a contract for the first building-wide renovation of Groveton Elementary School. The $7.3 million renovation, performed by general contractor Whitener & Jackson, Inc., brought extensive changes to Groveton. The open classroom model, upon which Groveton was originally designed, gradually fell out of favor during the 1980s. The renovation enclosed these spaces into separate classrooms.

Aerial photograph of Groveton Elementary School, taken from above Harrison Lane looking toward the school from the east. Several trailers are visible behind the building. The foundations have been laid and cinderblock walls are going up on additional classroom wings on the east and west sides of the building. A portion of the driveway near the old main entrance is blocked off and construction trailers and equipment are staged in this area.
Groveton Elementary School during renovation, February 28, 2004.

In the News

Take a few moments to watch some news stories highlighting Groveton Elementary School in the early 2000s. Topics include the Groveton Summer Reading Van (2004), Math Games (2007), and the Groveton Literacy Cafe (2009).

Diversity and Enrollment

Continuing a trend begun in the 1980s, Groveton's student body became even more racially and ethnically diverse during the early 2000s. In 2003, for example, statistics show that Groveton was 18.7 percent Asian, 32.7 percent Black or African-American, 23.2 percent Hispanic, 6.3 percent Multiracial, and 18 percent White. Student enrollment at Groveton was also on the rise during this time. From 2006 to 2016, enrollment swelled from 540 students to approximately 800. The enrollment spike necessitated the move of an eight-classroom modular building from Beech Tree Elementary School to Groveton during the summer of 2011.

Color photograph showing a kindergarten class portrait. Two teachers and 17 children are shown. The children are arranged in three rows, with the back two rows standing on risers. The teachers stand on opposite sides of the group.
Mrs. Tupy and Mrs. Flores' kindergarten class, 2002-03.

The Principals

Christine Lamb (1999-07)

Principal Lamb began her career with FCPS in 1979, and served as a special education teacher, assistant principal, and principal. During her time at Groveton, Principal Lamb worked to increase parental involvement in school activities, and encouraged staff to continue their own education and expand their teaching styles. She was the recipient of the Greater Washington Reading Council's 2002-03 Principal of the Year Award, and was a Fordham University School Change Award finalist in 2004. Under her leadership, Groveton Elementary School was named a Project Excel Gold Medal School from 2000-02. Principal Lamb retired in 2007 after 38 years in the education profession.

Photograph of Principal Lamb with two students from the 2006 to 2007 Groveton Elementary School yearbook. They are seated at a table with schoolwork in front of them. Two computers and a printer are visible on a table behind them.
Principal Christine Lamb, 2007.

Rich Pollio (2007-14)

Richard "Rich" Pollio began his career in the education profession in 1991 through Teach for America as a third grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in Compton, California. He began his career with FCPS as an English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher at Belle View Elementary School, followed by a stint as assistant principal at Waynewood Elementary School. In 2007, he was appointed the 15th principal of Groveton Elementary School. Principal Pollio left Groveton in October 2014 to become the Director of English Learner Services for FCPS. He was succeeded briefly by Stephen Hockett who served in an interim capacity until the appointment of Principal Swoger in December 2014.

Head and shoulders portrait of Principal Pollio. He is standing in his office.
Principal Rich Pollio, 2013.

James F. Swoger (2014-Present)

Head and shoulders portrait of Principal Swoger. He is standing outside the school.