Charleswood Elementary School Net-Zero Project | Hopkinton, MA

The Challenge

The Town and School District needed to identify the best long-term solution to replace the existing Elmwood School while addressing future enrollment needs, district-wide elementary education delivery, and potential site options throughout the community.

The Solution

VERTEX helped lead the Town and project team through the feasibility process that considered two grade enrollments and helped evaluate eight potential sites in town and countless options to be considered for a replacement to the Elmwood School. 

The process required the district to review the district-wide elementary education delivery and the pros and cons of each option. The Town and MSBA approved a new Elmwood Elementary School on the Hayden Rowe Site. The project includes state-of-the-art spaces for STEAM, academic, recreational, and music/arts. The school is targeting net-zero (NZE) with geothermal wells and photovoltaic arrays.

The Outcome

The Charleswood Elementary School design achieved PHIUS certification, making it one of the largest certified passive house elementary school designs in the United States at the time of certification. Construction is underway with an anticipated Fall 2027 opening.