Chesterfield cuts the ribbon on Deep Creek, opening its 41st elementary school
A roar of cheers erupted as the Matoaca District’s Deep Creek Elementary cut its ribbon and swung open its doors to the public for the first time Thursday morning.
This two-story, 111,500-square-foot school was built to welcome 1,000 students starting this August. This is Chesterfield’s 41st elementary school, and it cost $52 million. (For comparison, Henrico has 46 and Richmond City has 28.)
Construction broke ground in 2024 with the intention of relieving overcrowding in nearby elementary schools, specifically Moseley and Grange Hall. The county’s website indicates that, last school year, Moseley reached 106.6% capacity, while Grange Hall was at 86.6%.
Deep Creek Elementary is located adjacent to the middle school of the same name, which opened its doors last year to roughly 1,400 students. The rebuilt Bensley Elementary School will soon cut its own ribbon Aug. 5. It also uses the same two-story design as Deep Creek.
A 2022 bond referendum allocated $375 million for school construction, which eventually went toward Bensley Elementary as well as both Deep Creek schools.
Eleanor Shaw
“Over the past few years, we have gathered several times to open new schools because Chesterfield County voters — you — strongly support investments in public education with the knowledge that schools are the beating heart of a successful community,” said Steven Paranto, Matoaca District representative and school board vice president.
Photos from the event:
Contact Eleanor Shaw at eshaw@richmonder.org. She is a Report for America corps member.
