Bonsack Elementary School

The newest elementary school in Roanoke County was completed in 1999 in the Roanoke County portion of the Bonsack community, on land that was known as Crumpacker Orchards. When Fralin & Waldron Inc. bought 550+ acres in 1970, houses were built where farmland previously proliferated. Soon the eastern end of Roanoke County and southern Botetourt was filling up with new homes, apartments, and condominiums. Retail development had also begun on the north side of U.S. Route 460 (Challenger Ave.)

 For several years prior to 1999, the School Board was aware of the burgeoning growth in this area and began planning for the construction of a new elementary school. At one point, due to the proximity of the Botetourt County line, a joint elementary school was discussed. One of the suggestions was that Botetourt County would pay for students to attend as a cooperative venture. It was finally decided that it was best to remain a Roanoke County school. 

At a special meeting of the Roanoke County School Board of Roanoke County, Virginia, held at the Roanoke County Schools Administrative Office on Tuesday, June 23, 1998, a joint resolution addressed the construction of two new schools and the renovation of three schools. One of the schools was Bonsack Elementary in eastern Roanoke County; the other was Hidden Valley High School in southwest Roanoke County. The renovated projects were also important in order to add space and improve entrance visibility, for patrons entering the schools. The committee was formed for the purpose of receiving reports on the status of construction of the projects from the School Board employees responsible for overseeing such construction.