Ground Broken On Net Zero Occoquan Elementary Reconstruction Opening In 2026

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A groundbreaking Wednesday signaled the start of construction for the Occoquan Elementary School renovation project. Designed by Perkins Eastman, the new school will be Prince William County's first net-zero school.

The Occoquan Elementary School building dates back to 1927 and was previously a two-room schoolhouse between 1867 and 1899, making it the county's oldest still-standing school. Now, the school will take another step toward the future with solar panels on the roof, site canopies, an HVAC system using geothermal wells, and natural daylight with solar glare control. The environmentally-friendly features and reduced greenhouse gases will contribute to the net-zero rating. Net zero means the building will balance greenhouse gases produced and removed from the atmosphere.

"There is no doubt that access to new, modern elementary schools positively impacts a student's ability to learn," said PWCS Superintendent LaTanya McDade. "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, a new construction replacement [school] and Occoquan Elementary is it."

Students are remaining in the existing school while construction on the new building happens behind the school. When the new school is complete, the old building will be turned into fields, Prince William Times previously reported. The new school will have a capacity of 850 students. There were 584 students enrolled at the school as of fall 2023.

According to design contractor Perkins Eastman, the 120,000-square-foot school will have three levels with six classrooms per grade from kindergarten to fifth grade. There will also be shared resource rooms and extended learning spaces, two special education classrooms, science and music classrooms, a gymnasium, cafeteria, library/media center, and administrative and support spaces for teachers and staff.

"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 Perkins Eastman principal Sean O’Donnell in a statement.

The new Occoquan Elementary School is aimed to open in early 2026. Additional improvements like a new recreational field will be built in 2026. The estimated project cost as identified in the latest PWCS capital plan is $73.755 million.

PWCS said it will consider the same technology and sustainable strategies in other upcoming school renovations.

"The new Occoquan Elementary School will be a beacon of progress, embodying our dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment while respecting and preserving our planet," said Dr. Babur Lateef, chair of the Prince William County School Board, at the groundbreaking.