Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Modernization Design-Build, Net-Zero Energy

Benjamin Banneker Academic High School stands as a national model for high-performance, sustainable learning environments. The 163,643-square-foot, four-story campus brings together state-of-the-art labs, flexible instructional spaces, collaboration areas, performing arts venues, outdoor learning spaces, and community connections designed to support academic excellence in Washington, DC. Designed to achieve Net-Zero Energy performance, the school enhances resource conservation while improving daylight, acoustics, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. Its building envelope exceeded the high-performance air leakage target by 40%, and after 12 months of operation, the campus achieved an EUI of 19.8—15% better than the original design goal. The project also eliminates 878.6 metric tons of CO2e annually and, as of 2022, is recognized as the largest operating Zero Carbon School in the United States. McKissack provided scheduling, quality assurance/quality control, and safety monitoring/oversight, helping deliver the flagship high school on budget and within a fast-track schedule.