Chesterfield Schools Redraw Boundaries for New West Ridge High School
TL;DR: Chesterfield County Schools is redrawing high school attendance boundaries ahead of West Ridge High School's opening in August 2027, with the board weighing three proposals that would shift student enrollment across the district.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Public Schools, board members including Superintendent Dr. John Murray, Chair Lisa Hudgins, Vice Chair Steven Paranto
- What: District leaders evaluating boundary redistricting options for new West Ridge High School to address overcrowding, particularly at Cosby High School
- When: Public meeting September 28, 2026; final board decision October 13, 2026; school opens August 2027
- Where: West Ridge High School, off Otterdale Road, western Chesterfield County
The story
West Ridge High School, the first new high school built in Chesterfield County in 20 years, is set to open in August 2027 with capacity for 2,400 students. As the 340,000-square-foot facility nears completion, school district leaders are working to redraw attendance boundaries that will determine which students are assigned to the new school and how enrollment is distributed across the county's other high schools.
The redistricting effort is driven by a pressing need to relieve overcrowding, particularly at Cosby High School, which currently has the highest enrollment and greatest overcapacity among county high schools. District leaders are evaluating three boundary proposals, each with distinct tradeoffs.
Option 1 maintains relatively similar enrollment levels across the three high schools and has emerged as the preference of multiple board members. Vice Chair Steven Paranto said this option "makes the most sense in having the capacity closest to the other schools." Option 2 seeks to maximize capacity utilization at the new West Ridge facility, while Option 3 combines elements of the first two approaches. However, Options 2 and 3 would significantly reduce Midlothian High School's enrollment, raising concerns among board leadership. Chair Lisa Hudgins expressed a preference that Midlothian's enrollment not drop to 1,300.
Superintendent Dr. John Murray characterized the situation as "a very complex situation." The district has determined that current seniors may remain at their existing schools, while all other students will be subject to redistricting. Athletic waivers are not part of school board policy regarding the boundary changes.
The district is moving forward with community engagement on the issue. A public meeting is scheduled for September 28 at Deep Creek Middle School to gather input on the boundary options. The school board will make its final decision at its October 13 meeting.
Key players
- Dr. John Murray: Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Lisa Hudgins: Chair of Chesterfield County School Board
- Steven Paranto: Vice Chair of Chesterfield County School Board
- Chesterfield County Public Schools: School district managing redistricting and new school opening
Key dates
- 2026-09-28: Public meeting on boundary redistricting options at Deep Creek Middle School
- 2026-10-13: School board final decision on attendance boundary changes
- 2027-08-01: West Ridge High School opens for students
The case for
Redistricting is necessary to address documented overcrowding at Cosby High School and to efficiently use the new facility, which was built to serve a growing western Chesterfield population. Option 1's balanced approach distributes enrollment relatively evenly and avoids drastic enrollment swings at existing schools.
The case against
Any redistricting disrupts established school communities and may separate students from their peer groups. Options that significantly reduce Midlothian's enrollment could affect the school's programs, staffing, and resources; maintaining stable enrollment at existing schools protects educational continuity and avoids rapid institutional contraction.
Why it matters: The boundary redraw affects thousands of families across the county, potentially changing which school their children attend and requiring adjustment to transportation, schedules, and school communities. The decision will shape how effectively West Ridge High School alleviates overcrowding district-wide.
Places
- West Ridge High School
- Cosby High School
- Midlothian High School
- Deep Creek Middle School
- Otterdale Road
Development timeline
- 2022-01-01Chesterfield voters approve community facilities bond: Bond plan includes funding for West Ridge High School construction [source]
- 2026-06-16West Ridge High School celebrates construction topping-off: School and county leaders mark major construction milestone with ceremony [source]
- 2026-09-09District begins boundary redraw process: School leaders announce redistricting effort ahead of new school opening [source]
- 2026-09-28Public meeting on redistricting options: District presents three boundary proposals for community input at Deep Creek Middle School [source]
- 2026-10-13School board votes on final boundary decision: Board makes final determination on high school attendance boundaries [source]
- 2027-08-01West Ridge High School opens to students: First new high school in 20 years begins serving Chesterfield County students [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- West Ridge High School project milestone update
- High School Attendance Zones Map
Read the original at NBC12 / WWBT News →
Sources
- School leaders deciding how to redraw boundaries for new Chesterfield high school
- Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrates construction milestone at West Ridge High
- Chesterfield Marks Milestone in Construction of New West Ridge High School
- New high school, $60M road project in western Chesterfield on track for completion next year