Programs & Events

Why Green Schools make sense

25% of U.S. schools need extensive repair or replacement of one or more buildings
50% of schools have building features that are in less than adequate condition
43% of schools have at least one unsatisfactory environmental condition
55% of low-income schools have at least one unsatisfactory environmental condition
15,000 schools suffer from poor indoor air quality, affecting 20% of students

23% of schools with minority populations greater than 50% have unsatisfactory indoor air quality
Buildings account for 38% of the US carbon emissions
The largest construction industry in the U.S. approximately $80 billion in 2006-2008 is school buildings.
The federal education budget for FY 2007 provided only $5 million for school maintenance
K-12 schools spend more than $8 billion annually on energy

Green schools cost on average less than 2% (1.65%) or $3 per square foot – but is paid back in first year operation energy savings alone
A green school saves on average $100,000 annually – enough to hire 2 new teachers, buy 250 new computers, or purchase 5000 new textbooks
Only by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs the school will save $80 over the life of each bulb
Cost efficiency of a green school: energy savings 30%, carbon savings 35%, water use savings 30-50%, waste cost savings 50-97%.

Students achieve 20% better performance in green schools.

Test scores will increase on average 3-5%

Students with the most daylight progress 20% faster on math and 26% on reading tests Asthma incidence will decrease by 25%

Teacher Retention increases by an average of 3%

Medical research has shown that students who go to schools with natural lighting actually grow taller than students with average lighting