School History

In 1950, there were 16,163 children enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). By 1960 that number would climb to 59,870. The area surrounding of the City of Falls Church was a magnet for population growth in the 1950s, leading to overcrowding at the few schools in operation at that time. The overcrowding was exacerbated by the transfer of Fairfax County’s Oak Street Elementary School to the City of Falls Church. Oak Street was located within the boundaries of the newly formed city and pulled many children from Fairfax County, who could no longer attend the school. In anticipation of the transfer, FCPS officials began searching for new school sites north and west of Falls Church. In 1953, school officials located a site in the Kirby’s Corner area at the intersection of Westmoreland and Haycock roads. In September 1953, the architecture firm of Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern was assigned to prepare plans for a nine-room school at the site. In May 1954, the plans were altered to expand the school to 16 classrooms. The contract for the construction of Haycock Elementary was awarded in July of that year to the Eugene Simpson & Brother Construction Company in the amount of $329,437.

Black and white photograph of Haycock Elementary School taken in 1958. The school is seen from the southwest and both the front and side of the building are visible. Several cars are parked in front of the building. — Haycock Elementary School, 1958, Courtesy of the Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library

The First Years

Haycock Elementary School opened its doors to 606 students on September 6, 1955 under the leadership of Principal Elsie H. Snodgrass. The first years at Haycock were crowded because of the rapid growth of the surrounding community as new subdivisions were created and more families moved into the area. In September 1956, construction began on an addition of four classrooms and a student activity room at Haycock. In 1970-71 Haycock was further enlarged with the addition of more classrooms, a multipurpose area, gymnasium, music rooms, library, and cafeteria extension.

Black and white photograph of Haycock Elementary School taken circa 1968. The camera is on the eastern side of the building, looking down the front of the building toward the main entrance. Microwave towers are visible in the distance. — Haycock Elementary School, c.1968

Decades of Change

The 1970s were a decade of change at Haycock as our school was designated a center for students with learning disabilities (1971-72), a gifted and talented center (1976-77), and an English as a Second Language (ESL) center (1979-80). The first renovation of Haycock began on June 12, 1990. The renovation added more classrooms, a new heating and air conditioning system, carpeting, an enlarged library, a sprinkler system, and a new fire alarm system. The school office was also rearranged at this time to its present configuration. A second renovation was completed in time for our school’s 60^th anniversary in 2016. In April of that year, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of two building additions with 15 new classrooms, a new cafeteria, and a new playground.

Color photograph of Haycock Elementary School from a 35 millimeter slide. Likely taken in the early 1980s. The front of the building is featured and the name Haycock School is visible on the brick wall.

A Look Back

During Haycock’s 30^th birthday celebration on May 6, 1986, several former students shared their recollections from Haycock’s earliest years.

Pamela Richards, who attended Haycock from 1955-60, wrote that when she first started at Haycock she brought her own lunch to school because there was no cafeteria to serve hot lunches. There was no physical education teacher either, so children would go outside with their classroom teacher for a time of organized play.
Sharon Calvert, who attended Haycock from 1959-65, wrote that school lunches only cost $0.25! During recess, students square danced inside their classrooms on rainy days, and on sunny days they played outside on the swings and monkey bars. Her favorite games were dodgeball, kickball, and hopscotch.
Martha Whitehead Heath, who attended Haycock from 1962-67, wrote that her fondest memories were of being a safety patrol officer, of painting class murals, and of Elsie H. Snodgrass (Haycock’s first principal). She marveled at how Haycock had changed since her time with its new gymnasium, new classrooms, new playground, and computers!

What’s in a Name?

Have you ever wondered how Haycock Elementary School got its name? It’s a story that begins in the 1800s when a man name John Haycock moved to Fairfax County and took up farming. Learn more in this video produced for the FCPS Red Apple 21 cable television channel.

Our Principals

Elsie H. Snodgrass (1955-1971), Virgal H. Duffell (1971-1978), June Q. Webb (1978-1980), Kay Wright (1980-1983), Courtney G. Pelley (1983-1991), Janice Szabos (1991-1997), Mr. Lavine (1997-1998), Sharon Hardin (1998-2000), Jay McClain (2000-2006), Maureen Boland (2006-2010), Kelly Sheers (2010-2015), Jereme Donnelly (2015-2018), Augie Frattali (2018-2019), Scott Bloom (2019), Elizabeth Beaty (2020-present)