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This five-page fact sheet explains how designing, building, and operating zero energy ready K-12 schools provides benefits for districts, students, and teachers.

Imagine a school so inviting that students want to come to school. Now imagine this school housed in a beautiful, light-filled building that produces more energy on an annual basis than it uses. Finally, imagine that the district built this school on the same budget as a conventional school, using typical materials, equipment, and tradespeople.

Sound too good to be true? Discovery Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia, is living proof that zero energy (ZE) schools are feasible, affordable, and sensible.

School districts and their design and construction teams have encountered and overcome challenges to achieving zero energy in school buildings. This five-page fact sheet explains how they did it.