Fox Elementary reopens three years after devastating fire

Seven years after graduating from William Fox Elementary School in 2015, then 14-year-old Lily Perkinson found out that her school had caught on fire. 

“Losing it was like the biggest heartbreak I think I've ever experienced,” said Perkinson, who is now 21. 

But on Wednesday, she and her older sister, Graceful – who also attended the school – came back to a fully restored building that was new but similar to when she was a student herself years ago. 

“It feels absolutely surreal. This has just been a safe place growing up… I didn’t just go to school here, I grew up here,” she said.

Perkinson and her sister were among the more than 1,000 residents that filled up Hanover Street, where the renewed Fan District staple stands, to witness its doors finally opened to the public three years after it was damaged in the devastating fire. Attendees lined up around the block Wednesday evening to take a tour and get a peek of the interior. The Richmond City Fire and Police departments blocked off Strawberry Street and North Stafford Lane for visitors. 

Richmond Public Schools, city and state officials and employees were present for the event, including Mayor Danny Avula, school board members and former member Mariah White, who served the school’s district at the time of the fire. Like Perkinson, they recounted their memories when they found out that the 114-year-old building was engulfed in flames, but expressed the theme of resilience present for the school's reopening. 

“The fact that we are here, standing in front of this beautiful, reimagined Fox, proves what is possible when a community refuses to give up,” said Principal Daniela Jacobs.

“I've come to accept that fire can also be a catalyst for rebirth,” said Superintendent Jason Kamras.

A three-alarm fire engulfed the building with flames visibly blasting through the school’s roof on a late Friday night in Feb. 2022. Much of the inside of the building was severely damaged.

The project amounted to about $30 million, according to RPS spokeswoman Alyssa Schwenk, which included funding from the city, state and tax credits. The building contains some new and modified features, like colorful walls, a reading nook, a soundproof “gymatorium” and new systems like sprinklers.  

While completely renovated, the building preserves its original structure, a trademark that residents and officials noticed. Designers also used some of the components that survived from the fire, including the original wooden doors – now placed behind display cases – and chalkboards – placed in the stairway walls for students to draw and write on. 

“It’s a beautiful building. It’s wonderful to be back. I am so excited for our community to see this space,” said Katie Ricard (2nd District), who serves the district the school is located in. 

The event was a reminder of what officials have been stressing for some time: a need for funding to allow a “rebirth” of other, just as old school buildings in the district that are currently in similar conditions as Fox was before the fire. Councilwoman Katherine Jordan (2nd District) made the point clear when she directly called out to Governor Glenn Youngkin for his help. 

“Governor Youngkin, please, please help fund all of our schools,” she said. 

A school for generations

While available ready for the public to see, Schwenk emphasized the school was not yet “kiddo-ready,” as contractors were still working inside and boxes holding supplies were laid out in classrooms and hallways. But it will be by the first day of school – Aug. 18th – for the about 400 students enrolled. 

That includes Henry Cunningham, who is among the newcomers to the building. 

“He’s just excited to be a big kid starting kindergarten,” said Henry’s mother. 

Incoming fifth-grader Christin Abebayehu was among the students who began temporarily learning at Clark Springs after moving with her family from Northern Virginia shortly after the fire. She was surprised at how big and colorful the building was. 

Finn Walden, rising sixth grader and former student president of Fox, recounted the movements from virtual schooling to attending Clark Springs after the building’s fire. But he was grateful for efforts made to keep the doors open, especially for the students coming in. 

“These will be my footsteps in the building. But for the students who will stay, I’ll tell you, it’s an amazing place. And I hope you will love this building just as much as I did,” he told the crowd. 

Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org