Zero Energy
Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) serves a diverse community of over 16,000 students from 114 countries. In 2018, ACPS began exploring innovative ways to solve future capacity issues, while also prioritizing sustainability and the student experience. To address growing capacity needs and achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, the district embarked on a transformative redevelopment of their current Alexandria City High School: Minnie Howard Campus. The 312,000 square foot addition not only doubles their current student capacity but also embodies ACPS’s vision of redefining the high school experience. CMTA provided MEP engineering, technology, and security design services for the new addition.
Opened in September 2024, the innovative facility includes educational spaces, open areas, athletic fields, and community amenities. The campus also features Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, including Trade & Industrial Education, equipping students with vital occupational skills for careers in skilled trades or further education. The project enables the delivery of meaningful, high-quality education for the Alexandria community, while also tackling the challenge of accommodating approximately 5,000 students within the next five years.
Sustainability was a key focus of the project, with the new facility targeted to achieve LEED Gold certification and Zero Energy status. CMTA implemented high-performance systems, including a geothermal heat pump system, to significantly reduce energy consumption, coupled with a 550 kW solar photovoltaic array to offset the facility’s annual energy use. Reflecting a commitment to environmentally responsible design, this project highlights ACPS’s forward-thinking approach to building for the future.
