HISTORY OF CEDAR POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

By the year 2000, the Bristow area in western Prince William County was experiencing rapid growth. Many new communities, including Braemar, Ashleigh Ridge, Saybrooke, Bridlewood Manor, and Sheffield Manor, were being developed. With so many new homes being built, Bristow Run Elementary and Tyler Elementary School were exceeding student capacity. A new facility, tentatively named "Braemar" Elementary School, was built in the Braemar subdivision to relieve overcrowding in these schools.

In December 2000 and continuing in January 2001, parents from the Bristow Run and Tyler communities participated in the development of the boundaries for the new school. The boundary plan, which affected Bristow Run, Tyler, Sinclair, and Mountain View, was approved in late January. Parents also participated in the naming of "Braemar" Elementary School. The committee considered many excellent names. The School Board approved the recommended name "Cedar Point" in April 2002.

On December 13, 2000, the School Board appointed Dr. Mike Drummond as the first principal of the new "Braemar" Elementary School. Dr. Drummond had previously served as principal at Occoquan Elementary School in Woodbridge. Dr. Drummond assumed his responsibilities in early February 2001 at a temporary office housed at Signal Hill Elementary School.

In May 2001, the Inaugural Meeting of the Cedar Point Elementary School was held. Mrs. Pam Carpenter was selected as the first PTA President. The Advisory Council also began in May 2001. Mr. Mike Keith was elected as the first Chairperson. Throughout the spring and summer months, the staff at Cedar Point met with students and parents during numerous open houses and orientations.

Cedar Point Elementary School first opened its doors to students on September 4, 2001. The school was projected to start with 568 students, but by the end of September 670 students had registered. By the end of the 2001-2002 school year, nearly 760 students were registered at Cedar Point.

Throughout the first year of operation, the school enjoyed outstanding support from the community. Parents were very involved in the activities of the school. The PTA coordinated a number of successful community events that fostered strong community relationships.

The school was officially dedicated on Friday, May 3, 2002. The theme for the dedication was "We the People". The school was festively decorated in red, white, and blue and the program followed a patriotic theme. Mrs. Lucy Beauchamp, School Board Chairman-at-Large, Mr. Lyle Beefelt, School Board Representative for the Brentsville District, and Dr. Edward Kelly, Superintendent of Schools, all addressed the audience. Representatives from the SCA played an active role in the day's events.

With continued growth in the Bristow area during the summer of 2002, Cedar Point Elementary was projected to start with 819 students for the 2002-2003 school year. By August 2002, it was clear that actual enrollment would exceed the projected numbers. At the end of its second year, Cedar Point's enrollment had reached 1,024. Continued development along the Linton Hall corridor brought even more students to Cedar Point Elementary School for the 2003-2004 school year. By the end of September 2003, there were 1,149 students registered with an expected enrollment of more than 1,250 students by June 2004.

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