Resource Library

Research and Studies

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities

The research and studies listed below represent just a handful of the extensive research that exists looking into the many varied aspects of green schools. For a more comprehensive list that includes more specialized research, visit the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.

The Heschong Mahone Daylighting Study (PDF) of more than 21,000 students showed a dramatic correlation between daylit school environments and student performance, including:

  • 20% faster progression in math.
  • 26% faster progression in reading.
  • Views out of windows increased performance by 5-10%.

Greening America’s Schools (PDF) is a summary report by Capital E of costs and benefits of green schools:

  • Green schools use, on average, 30-50% less energy.
  • Green schools use, on average, 30% less water.
  • Studies show an average of 38.5% reduction in asthma in schools with improved indoor air quality.

The Cost of Green Revisited (Davis Langdon, 2007). Findings show that:

  • Many projects are achieving LEED within their budgets and in the same cost range as non-LEED projects.
  • Construction costs have risen dramatically, but projects are still achieving LEED.
  • There continues to be a perception that sustainability is an added feature.

Energy Performance of Daylit Schools in North Carolina (Mike Nicklas and Gary Bailey, 1996). The study analyzes the energy performance and cost of daylit schools designed by Innovative Design in Johnston County, N.C. Findings include:

  • The students in full-spectrum light were healthier and attended school 3.2 to 3.8 days more per year.
  • Libraries with superior light resulted in significantly lower noise levels.
  • Full-spectrum lighting induced more positive moods in students.
  • Because of the additional vitamin D received by the students in full-spectrum light, they had 9 times less dental decay and grew in height an average of 2.1 cm more (over the two-year period) than students attending schools with average light.

Purchase McGraw Hill Construction’s Education Smart Market Report of the market for green in the education sector:

  • The concern for “improved health and well-being” is the greatest driver for school decision-makers in building green.
  • Fiscal advantages, including reduced operating costs, were cited as the most important triggers to faster adoption of LEED and green building in schools.
  • The education sector is the fastest growing market for green building.

Green Schools: Attributes for Health and Learning is a report from the National Research Council. (The report is available for free download once an account is created.) Evidence has accumulated that shows the quality of indoor environments can affect the health and productivity of adults and children.This report aims to examine the potential of green school design for improving education. The report:

  • Provides an analysis of the complexity of determining the potential health and productivity benefits.
  • Offers an assessment of the potential human health and perfomance benefits of improvements in the building envelope, indoor air quality, lighting and acoustical quality.
  • Presents an assessment of the overall building condition and student achievement.
  • Offers an analysis of and recommendations for planning and maintaining green schools, including research considerations.

Environmental Law Institute, Green Cleaning in Schools: Summary of Selected State and School District Policies (2007). Cleaning products are necessary to maintain a sanitary environment in schools. However, many chemicals in cleaning products may be hazardous to the environment and to the health of maintenance workers, students, and school staff. "Green cleaning" reduces environmental and health risks by selecting alternative, environmentally-sensitive products, by applying these products properly, and by implementing maintenance practices that minimize exposure to cleaning products. This report summarizes selected state laws, proposed state legislation and school district policies that promote green cleaning in schools.

Acoustical Barriers to Learning, Technical Committee on Speech Communication, Acoustical Society of America: a review of acoustics studies that examine the effects of classroom noise on performance.