Our School

Opening in September 2018, James Blair Middle School is Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools’ newest school. The building has been designed with the needs of 21st century learners in mind. One of the hallmarks of James Blair MS is that it has flexible learning spaces with multipurpose furniture, which support project-based learning and collaboration. For example, movable walls in classrooms can facilitate instruction designed to address the lesson at hand, whether that be small groups, collaboration with different classes or one large group that is hosting a guest speaker. The new James Blair Middle School also has multipurpose labs that feature state-of-the art science technology, but are so innovative in design they can be used in a variety of different ways beyond just one discipline. Connectivity and technology are evident throughout the school, from interactive touch screen displays to areas set aside for students to use their computers to interact with 3D printers.

Even though the building is brand new, the school has a rich and varied history. It bears the name of the College of William and Mary’s first president and founder. The Scottish-born James Blair served the college for 50 years, from 1693-1743. We are proud that James Blair Middle School bears the name of an educator who paved the way for higher education in this country.

The school first opened in 1955 as a high school and its first senior class graduated in 1956. In 1973, it became a junior high school. The school remained in operation through school year 2009-10. It closed as a school in the following year and its students were redistricted to other WJCC middle schools. At that time, the aging structure was repurposed for central administration offices in 2011. When student growth made it apparent that a fourth middle school was necessary, the name James Blair was a natural fit for WJCC’s newest school.