MENASHA, Wis. (WFRV) – A major milestone in sustainable school design was celebrated today as state and local officials toured the newly completed Maplewood School in Menasha.
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Serves (DSPS) Secretary Dan Hereth joined school district leaders and Miron Construction to walk through the $99.7 million, 223,000+ square foot facility.
The new Maplewood School is now the largest zero-net energy middle/intermediate school in the country.
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The all-electric building includes a 160-well geothermal system, over 2,700 rooftop solar panels, LED lighting, and advanced battery storage, cutting an estimated $190,000 annually from utility costs.
In addition to energy savings, the school was built with student and staff wellness in mind. It features filtered air ventilation, natural lighting, low-emission materials, and acoustically optimized classrooms to help reduce health issues and improve learning outcomes.
The tour also highlights DSPS’s role in modernizing state building codes to support forward-thinking construction projects without compromising safety.