Our Campus is a Classroom

Foxcroft introduced geothermal heating and air-conditioning with the construction of Stuart Hall dormitory that opened in 2013, which has 33 geothermal wells. During the renovation of Court into a welcome center, which opened in 2016, 15 geothermal wells were added. By taking energy from the earth and storing it, the geothermal plant acts as another factor in sustainable energy and reduces dependency on fossil fuels. 

In the late 20th century, an astonishing 1.2 million gallons of water per month were used at Foxcroft. In 2000, toilets with low flow devices and aerators for faucets and equipment were installed, reducing our water consumption by 450,000 gallons per month. Trays (and the water required to wash them) were eliminated from the Dining Hall that year as well, further reducing water consumption. This nearly one-third reduction in water use could fill the swimming pool at Foxcroft four times every month!

The School has converted to LED lighting in the riding arena (2016), parking lots (2016), and gymnasiums (2017). Take a look at our buildings' electrical consumption and you may be surprised by how little we use!

The 2012 Explorations in Engineering class researched the potential for using solar panels at Foxcroft. After presenting their findings to the Administration and the Board of Trustees, approval was granted to install four test panels near the Observatory. The panels are used by science classes for experimentation on tilt angles, cleaning schedules, and to learn about solar power. The solar power that is produced by the panels is backfed to the School's main leg of electricity, thereby reducing the amount of electricity provided by Dominion Power.

The School works with Solutex, Inc., the first cleaning supply company in the US to achieve "Champion Partner" status in the EPA's Design for the Environment (DFE) Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI).