High Performance School Buildings Program

Resources

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
The Collaborative for High Performance Schools aims to increase the energy efficiency of schools by marketing information, services, and incentive programs directly to school districts and designers. The goal is to facilitate the design of high performance schools. Many states have adapted CHPS for their schools.

EPA Creating Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools
This EPA website is dedicated to “Creating Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools” through indoor air quality management. School officials, staff, teachers, health care providers, parents and students can find information about designing programs, writing policies and developing guidelines to promote healthy learning environments at your schools.

Department of Ecology
The Washington State Department of Ecology’s Green Building Group provides statewide and regional outreach and technical assistance for green building activities, including K-12 schools. The Green Building Group offers eco-charrette services for K-12 school projects receiving state funding. Ecology’s K-12 schools leads: Eastern Washington: (509) 329-3448 or agra461@ecy.wa.gov; Western Washington: (360) 407-6084 or rjam461@ecy.wa.gov.

Enterprise Services - Sustainable Design and Construction
GA provides green building services for the different phases of project development (pre-design, design and construction). Clients include state agencies and K-12 school districts. Services include education about green building and LEED, elements of green building goal setting workshops, consultant selection, design input, design review, research and construction review. LEED submittal preparation services are also available.

US Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Cascadia Chapter's Web site

• The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
• LEED for Schools: Based on CHPS and LEED for New Construction, the LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. It addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention and more.

BetterBricks
BetterBricks is the commercial initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, which is supported by local electric utilities. BetterBricks advocates for changes to energy-related business practices in the Northwest, including how schools both in their design and operations become more energy-efficient, save money, and, as a result, help enhance the learning environment. On Betterbricks.com/Schools, you’ll find information, tools, training and resources to help your building make a difference to your bottom line.

Green Schools: Attributes for Health & Learning
A free online book authored by Committee to Review and Assess the Health and Productivity Benefits of Green Schools, National Research Council.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

CHPS – Collaborative for High Performances Schools 
CHPS offers free professional design seminars. Five three-hour seminars are available on designing high performance schools. Register to view and listen to the seminars online.

Daylighting in Schools Online Training Program
A free, Web-based resource created to help building professionals understand and be able to deliver high-quality daylighting in schools. This resource was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy under its Rebuild America program, in cooperation with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC)
SBIC offers a series of non-technical online videos describing the characteristics and benefits of high performance schools and outlining a process that people can use to obtain high performance facilities in their districts.

Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings
Guidance for elementary, middle, and high school buildings, which have a wide variety of heating and air-conditioning requirements. Options for daylighting, an important component in schools, are included.