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

  • Harvard Business Impact Launches AI-Powered Assistant

    Business education and leadership development platform Harvard Business Impact (HBI) recently announced the launch of an AI-powered assistant, according to a news release.

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Florida Gulf Coast University Selects Builder for New Academic Building

    Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla., recently announced that it has selected development and construction firm Skanska to build a new academic and health sciences building, according to a news release. Marieb Hall South will become the campus’ largest academic building at 158,040 square feet.