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

  • Fayetteville State University Opens New Residence Hall

    Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, N.C., recently completed construction on a new $50-million residence hall, according to a news release. The university partnered with KWK/Jenkins • Peer Architects on the design of Bronco Pride Hall.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • Texas K–12 District to Build New Elementary, High Schools

    The High Island Independent School District on the Bolivar Peninsula in Southeast Texas recently announced that construction on a new elementary school and a new high school will begin in January 2026, according to local news. Funding will come from a $27.9-million bond passed in May 2025.

  • Embry-Riddle Breaks Ground on New Office Building

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Fla., recently announced that construction has begun on a new office building for its campus Research Park, according to a news release. The university partnered with Hoar Construction on the 34,740-square-foot Center for Aerospace Technology II (CAT II), which will be used for research and lab purposes.

Digital Edition