Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Virginia District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/02/24

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in Prince William County, Va., recently broke ground on Occoquan Elementary School, according to a news release. The new facility will become the district’s first net-zero school and replace its oldest facility. The school is scheduled to open for the fall 2026 semester.

The 120,000-square-foot building will stand three stories and have the capacity for 850 students in grades K–5, the news release reports. Amenities will include six classrooms per grade level, two special education classrooms, shared resource rooms, science and music classrooms, cafeteria, a library and media center, gym, and administrative and support space for faculty and staff. The district partnered with Perkins Eastman for the project’s design.

“PWCS is committed to providing safe and welcoming facilities for all students, families, staff, and community, and this new facility is a shining example of that commitment,” said Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, PWCS Superintendent. “Our goal is not just to build schools; our goal is to replace industrial facilities with improved and sustainable schools. We set a goal that by 2025, PWCS would complete our first Net Zero school, and Occoquan Elementary School is it.”

Sustainability initiatives include solar orientation for daylighting, almost a hundred geothermal wells, and construction making use of sustainable design principles for high-performance buildings. The school will pursue Net Zero Energy and LEED Silver certification, according to the news release.

“We are honored to work with Prince William County Public Schools, the students, teachers, and administrators of the Occoquan Elementary School, and its community to realize their vision for a new Net Zero Energy school that will become a model for conservation and resilience and create a healthy, high-performance learning environment that will enhance educational outcomes,” said Sean O’Donnell, FAIA, LEED AP, Perkins Eastman Principal.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.