With its opening in September 2000, Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School was the city's first new school in 30 years. The 80,000-square-foot school, situated in the back of the new Cameron Station development, cost $8.5 million to build and has a capacity of approximately 600 students in kindergarten through grade 5. The two-story school, designed by the McLean, Virginia, architectural firm Grimm and Parker, has 28 home rooms, a science lab, an art room, two music rooms, a media center equipped with a computer lab and television studio, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and a stage that is situated between the two for use by either side.

Unique in the school building are dedicated teacher planning areas and extended learning areas for special student projects. In addition, a covered play area allows children to enjoy recess even in inclement weather. Adjacent to the school is a 12-acre park that will contain ballfields, a playground, a tennis court, a picnic area, and an environmental learning area.