Local elected officials joined Prince William County School Board members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTanya D. McDade in a ceremony to celebrate the new construction of Occoquan Elementary School. The first Net-Zero school in PWCS, Occoquan Elementary’s replacement school, is scheduled to open in the beginning of 2026 at the site of the existing school. 

“There is no doubt that access to new, modern elementary schools positively impacts a student's ability to learn,” shared Dr. 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] & Occoquan Elementary is it.” 

Student leaders at Occoquan Elementary performed a rendition of “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang, adapted by Caiti Jennings, music teacher at the school. 

Dr. Babur Lateef, School Board Chairman-At-Large, Richard Jessie, Occoquan District School Board representative, Deshundra Jefferson, Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, Kenny Boddye, Occoquan District representative on the Board of County Supervisors and Vice Chair, Earnest Porta Jr, mayor of Occoquan, Lillie Jessie, former member of the Prince William County School Board, Occoquan Elementary Principal Michael “Buddy” Lint, and Kimberly Werle, associate superintendent for eastern elementary schools, also shared remarks.  

The first Net-Zero school in PWCS will feature solar arrays on the roof and site canopies, an HVAC mechanical system using geothermal wells, and natural daylight optimized to all learning spaces with solar glare control.  

The school is designed by Perkins Eastman Architects and is contracted with HESS Construction Company. Jason Mastrangelo of the PWCS Facilities Department, Construction Office is the project manager.