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River Grove Elementary Designed for the New Normal
The school incorporates a microgrid system and is one of the first elementary schools in the U.S. to do so.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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When design began on River Grove Elementary School in spring 2020, the Pacific Northwest still carried a reputation as an ideal region for passive design. However, within months, that assumption was tested as the Portland, Oregon, metro area was hit by a series of climate-driven crises. Replacing the 60-year-old elementary school building became an opportunity to rethink resilience, carbon responsibility, and the role of a public school in an increasingly volatile environment.
Why it matters
River Grove Elementary was designed in direct response to a new reality, acknowledging that the school would need to remain safe, operable, and healthy during extreme conditions while continuing to function as a welcoming place for learning. The project's ambition extended beyond energy performance, addressing how to support student mental health and reconnect the school community after the disruption of the pandemic, as well as how to provide a facility that could serve as a reliable community resource during natural disasters.
The details
River Grove Elementary is fully electric and designed along a certified path to net-zero energy. More significantly, it is one of the first elementary schools in the United States to incorporate a microgrid system, placing it at the forefront of Oregon's push toward zero-carbon energy production by 2040. Advanced ventilation and filtration systems were designed to maintain healthy indoor air during wildfire smoke events, while high-performance envelopes and mechanical systems address increasing cooling demands during extreme heat. The school is also designed as a Category IV seismic building, allowing it to function as a shelter and emergency support center in the event of earthquakes or other disasters.
- Design began on River Grove Elementary School in spring 2020.
- Within months of the design process, the Portland, Oregon, metro area was hit by a series of climate-driven crises.
The players
River Grove Elementary School
A 79,500-square-foot, two-story elementary school serving 600 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade on a 10-acre site outside Portland.
Arcadis
A design, engineering, and consulting firm that collaborated with the school district and local utility provider to develop the microgrid system for River Grove Elementary.
What’s next
The school district and design team will continue to monitor the performance of the microgrid system and explore ways to further integrate the school with the local energy grid and community resilience efforts.
The takeaway
River Grove Elementary stands as a case study in the way thoughtful design, collaboration, and long-term thinking can transform a neighborhood school into a resilient civic asset for an uncertain future, balancing innovation and budgets to create a facility that supports student well-being, community support, and environmental responsibility.
