Fitzemeyer & Tocci Supports a National First at Watertown High School

Fitzemeyer & Tocci is providing comprehensive building commissioning services for the new Watertown High School, a nationally significant project and the first high school in the United States to achieve both LEED Platinum certification and Net Zero Energy performance. Designed to set a new standard for sustainable, high-performance educational facilities, the 250,000-square-foot school will serve 720 students in grades 9–12 while delivering long-term energy efficiency, resiliency, and occupant comfort.

Watertown High School

The facility is organized around a compact four-story academic core and a two-story community core constructed above a 128-space underground parking garage, preserving valuable green space while supporting outdoor learning, recreation, and community use. Flexible, hands-on learning environments and shared community spaces are integrated throughout the building to support collaboration, small-group instruction, and after-hours programming, reinforcing the school’s role as both an educational and civic asset.

To achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, the building incorporates on-site solar generation, geothermal systems, and all-electric mechanical systems, including air-source and ground-source heat pumps tailored to varied occupancy patterns. These strategies support a projected Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of less than 25, positioning Watertown High School as a model for low-carbon, high-performance school design. Fitzemeyer & Tocci’s commissioning services are focused on verifying system performance, optimizing operations, and ensuring the school meets its energy, sustainability, and occupant experience objectives from day one. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.