Located in the west of the town of Vienna, Virginia, United States, Louise Archer Elementary School is one of many elementary schools part of Fairfax County Public Schools. It is notable for its history and for its designation as a one of several elementary school centers for advanced academic programs in Fairfax County.Currently the school has an enrollment of 825 students.HistoryThe school was established in its current location, then a black neighborhood, in 1939, as a school for African-American children, under the name "Vienna Colored School." Mrs. Louise Archer served as the school's principal and taught students with two other teachers. She taught and fed all of the students. In the early 1940s, the only water was from the Salisbury Spring a mile away. Boys had to go and fetch water, and Mrs. Archer fed the children meals she cooked on a pot-bellied stove. The old school building is what is now part of the northern section of the school near the cafeteria.In 1948, Mrs. Louise Archer died of a heart attack; the school was renamed in her honor in 1950.In the late 1960s, Duke Ellington and his trio played at the school, at the invitation of the band teacher at that time, Philmore Hall, who had once been Ellington's trumpet teacher.AAP programLouise Archer has a level 4 Advanced Academics Program (AAP).Chess ClubIn the 2009 school year, the Louise Archer Chess Club won seven trophies and awards. The school won 3rd place in the country in a tournament in spring 2009, and not far behind in another National Chess Competition. The school has won the Kent Gardens Cup last year and for seven years straight from 2005-2012.
