The Auburn School in Fairfax Moves to New Location

Chantilly, Va. – The Auburn School (“Auburn”) announced its move to a new location for the new school year to accommodate its growing student community. Auburn serves students with challenges in social skills, communication, pragmatic language and organization, such as Asperger’s syndrome. Auburn’s staff and board of advisors include distinguished national, state and local education leaders and professionals. Auburn’s Fairfax Campus opened in Herndon in 2009 with 14 students and currently is serving 36. The new facility is still located in Fairfax, just off of Route 50 and 28, near the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum. It will provide the school community with an ideal state of the art facility that will allow for growth. The new space is being fully renovated to meet the needs of Auburn. In addition to the 15,000 square feet of classroom space, the new facility will include a gym, playground, science and theatre labs.

“We have worked very hard to build a successful model program that provides students with both high quality academics and a comprehensive social skills program,” said Erik Heyer, Auburn’s founder. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to custom design our new home.” 

“Since we opened in 2009, we have been providing our students with a nurturing and safe environment where they can learn and grow,” said Heather Hargrave, Head of School. “Not only are we excited to be celebrating over five years serving our community, we also have the opportunity to be able to serve more students in a terrific, new setting.”

The school will open in a temporary space in September located in the same building. Construction will be completed on the permanent space in late Fall. The community will be able to watch as the new school comes together providing a great learning experience for students, staff, and families.

High quality educational options for students with Asperger’s syndrome and related challenges are in very short supply. The Auburn School, the first of its kind, has three campuses in the Metro DC/ Baltimore region.

Key features include:

  • a strong academic program, aligned with common core standards;
  • comprehensive social learning programs embedded in instruction throughout the school day;
  • positive behavioral supports, individualized learning plans and research-based methodologies;
  • integrated related services (social learning, OT, and behavior support specialists, on staff);
  • small class sizes, and a highly-trained faculty and staff; and,
  • an educational environment specifically designed to meet the needs of bright students with challenges in social skills and communication.

About The Auburn School
The Auburn School serves intellectually engaged students with challenges in the areas of communication, socialization, language and organization, such as Asperger’s syndrome. For further information, The Auburn School can be contacted at (703) 793-9353 or on the web at www.theauburnschool.org.

Featured

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • Washington State University Debuts New Engineering Hall

    Washington State University recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for the new Schweitzer Engineering Hall on its Pullman campus in Pullman, Wash., according to university news. The facility measures 66,288 square feet, and its completion marks the first milestone in a larger university effort to modernize the engineering and design district.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Houston-Area High School Receives Best Project Award from ENR

    Tomball West High School near Houston, Texas, recently received a K–12 Education Best Project Award in Engineering News-Record’s 2026 Texas & Southeast Best Projects Awards, according to a press release. The new facility was completed in May and opened its doors to students for the fall 2026 semester.