Press Kit

Green Schools Fact Sheet

Posted: October 3, 2007

Printable version

Green schools are not only better for the environment; they are also healthier for students and teachers.

Green schools cost less money to operate and use less water and energy.

  • If all new school construction and school renovations went green starting today, energy savings alone would total $20 billion over the next 10 years.
  • Green schools on average save $100,000 per year — enough to hire two new teachers, buy 500 new computers, or purchase 5,000 new textbooks.
  • Green schools cost on average less than $3 per square foot more to build, an investment that is paid back in the first year of operations based on energy savings alone.

Factoring in lower energy and water costs, improved teacher retention, and lowered health costs, building green schools saves about $12 per square foot, around 4 times the average additional cost of going green.

LEED® for Schools:

  • The LEED rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
  • LEED is like a "nutritional label” for green, healthy schools so you know exactly where your children are spending their days. School buildings can earn LEED certification, which provides third-party verification that the building was designed and is operating the way it was intended to be.

LEED-certified schools:

  • Use 30-50% less energy than conventional schools, which lowers utility bills.
  • Reduce harmful CO2 emissions by 40%, which helps turn back the clock on global climate change.
  • Use 30% less water.
  • Have better lighting and temperature controls, which promotes higher student achievement. It also promotes more comfortable indoor environments, and improved ventilation and indoor air quality – all of which contribute to positive health benefits, including reduced instances of asthma, colds, flu and absenteeism.
  • Have higher teacher retention.

Students in LEED-certified schools:

  • Demonstrate increased performance on reading tests by 20% and on math tests by 24% compared to students in classrooms without daylight. 
  • Experience fewer sick days, and instances of asthma are 38.5% lower.