Members of Cathy Girondo's third-grade class, which numbers 18 students, check out their book reports on a wall at Middleburg Elementary.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: budget, Edgar B. Hatrick III, Middleburg, Middleburg Elementary School, schools

First-grade teacher Janie Bigler, above, has 19 children in her class. Faced with the region's fastest-growing enrollment, Loudoun officials wonder about the economic sense of a school with only five teachers and a handful of classrooms.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: budget, Edgar B. Hatrick III, Middleburg, Middleburg Elementary School, schools

Middleburg Elementary School

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: budget, Edgar B. Hatrick III, Middleburg, Middleburg Elementary School, schools

Middleburg Elementary School Principal Gary Wilkers stops into Middleburg Elementary's third grade class to help nine-year-old George Simmons.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Middleburg, Middleburg Elementary School

Nan Parrish's second grade class heads outside to Middleburg Elementary's playground. There are 11 children in this class. Last out the door is seven-year-old Stephen Martin.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Middleburg, Middleburg Elementary School

These poured concrete stones with decorative cut glass were made by an outgoing fifth grade class, and given to the school. They now sit just outside the main entrance to Middleburg Elementary School.

Photo: Tracy A. Woodward, Washington Post

Tagged: Middleburg, Middleburg Elementary School