If you live in Magnolia Green, Westerleigh or RounTrey, your high school just changed.
Chesterfield's school board voted this week on the zones for West Ridge High School, the county's first new high school in about 20 years. If you own a home out there, or you're shopping in Moseley or western Midlothian right now, this one matters.
I'm Chris Stahl, a REALTOR with eXp Realty and a parent of two school-age kids. School zones are one of the first things my buyers ask about. Here's what got decided and what it means for you.
What the Board Decided
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the board voted unanimously for Option 1, the plan that had the most community support going in. Families in a couple of areas spoke up, and the district made two small changes before the vote.
- Why: Cosby High has been running at about 125% of capacity, with trailer classrooms out back. Midlothian High is at about 97%.
- The fix: West Ridge opens with room for 2,400 students. The plan pulls students from Cosby and Midlothian so all three schools land under about 1,600 students, with room to grow.
- Trailers: The district says the plan gets rid of nearly 30 trailers at existing high schools.
Which Neighborhoods Are Moving
| Neighborhood | High school starting 2027-28 | Students (district estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Green | West Ridge | About 449 |
| Watermill / RounTrey | West Ridge | About 343 |
| Westerleigh / Summer Lake | West Ridge | About 293 |
| Wynwood at FoxCreek / Foxfield | West Ridge | About 173 |
| Newmarket Village | Stays at Midlothian High | Removed from the plan |
| Willowvale Drive area (south and west of Otterdale Road to Swift Creek) | Stays at Midlothian High | Removed from the plan |
Student counts are the district's estimates from the September proposals, before the final changes. Boundaries follow streets, not subdivision names, so always check a specific address.
Hallsley and the area west of Woolridge Road were part of the other two options. They weren't in the plan that passed.
Who Stays Put
- Rising seniors: Students who'll be seniors in 2027-28 can finish at their current high school. West Ridge opens without a senior class.
- Everyone else in the new zone: Current freshmen and sophomores move to West Ridge in August 2027.
- A smaller Cosby shift: Separately, about 53 students from Clover Hill and 75 from Manchester will move to Cosby in 2027-28. The superintendent is handling that one administratively, so the board didn't vote on it.
Middle and elementary zones in western Chesterfield weren't part of this vote. The district is working on separate elementary changes around Curtis Elementary, with a vote expected November 10.
Where West Ridge Is
West Ridge is going up off Otterdale Road in western Chesterfield. It's a little over three miles northwest of Cosby High and about nine miles southwest of Midlothian High.
If You're Buying
Here's what I'm telling my buyers in Moseley and western Midlothian right now:
- Check the address, not the neighborhood name. Use Chesterfield County Public Schools' school locator, and call the district if a home sits near a boundary. Listing sheets can lag behind a change like this.
- Know that some listings will still show Cosby or Midlothian. That's true for this school year. Ask which high school the home will be zoned for in 2027-28.
- A new school has no track record yet. There are no test scores or sports history to look up. Some families love a brand-new building with room to breathe. Others want an established program. Neither is wrong, so decide what matters to your kids.
- Timing matters if you have a high schooler. A rising senior can stay put. A younger student will start at West Ridge or switch to it in 2027.
If schools are driving your search, tell me which ones and I'll set up a home search built around those zones. You can also browse my Chesterfield County guide for the bigger picture.
If You're Selling
If you're listing in one of these neighborhoods, get ahead of the question. Buyers will ask.
- Say it plainly in your listing: zoned for Cosby (or Midlothian) this school year, and West Ridge starting 2027-28.
- For a lot of buyers, a new school with less crowding and no trailers is a selling point. Lead with that, not the change.
- Don't guess on the boundary. Confirm your address with the district so your listing is accurate.
Wondering what your home's worth now? Start here, or call me and I'll pull the recent sales in your neighborhood.
PCSing in Summer 2027
West Ridge opens right in the middle of the summer PCS season. If you're coming to Fort Lee or the Richmond area with high schoolers, Moseley and Magnolia Green are roughly 35 to 50 minutes from the base, depending on traffic. Your kids would start fresh at a brand-new school with every other new student.
I moved my family nine times in 25 years in the Air Force. Showing up at a school where everybody is new isn't the worst way to start. For more on the base side, see where to live near Fort Lee.
FAQ
When does West Ridge High School open?
August 2027, for the 2027-28 school year. It opens without a senior class.
Which neighborhoods are zoned for West Ridge High School?
Under the plan approved October 13, 2026: Magnolia Green, Westerleigh/Summer Lake, Watermill/RounTrey, and Wynwood at FoxCreek/Foxfield. Always confirm a specific address with Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Is Newmarket Village moving to West Ridge?
No. Newmarket Village was removed from the plan before the vote and stays at Midlothian High School. So does the Willowvale Drive area south and west of Otterdale Road to Swift Creek.
Will my rising senior have to switch to West Ridge?
No. Students who will be seniors in 2027-28 can finish at their current high school.
Where is West Ridge High School?
Off Otterdale Road in western Chesterfield County, a little over three miles northwest of Cosby High School.
Let's Talk Schools
Buying or selling around Magnolia Green, Westerleigh, RounTrey or Foxfield? I'll tell you straight how this plays into your move.
Call or text me at 804-409-8581, or send me a note through my contact form. I usually get back to you the same day.
Better call Stahl.
Sources: VPM, Oct. 14, 2026; 12 On Your Side, Oct. 14, 2026; WTVR CBS 6; The Richmonder; Axios Richmond. Map: Chesterfield County Public Schools.
School zone information checked October 16, 2026, based on the board's October 13 vote. Boundaries can change. Confirm any address with Chesterfield County Public Schools before you buy or sell. This is general information, not legal advice.