Imagine schools not only as centers of learning but as beacons of sustainability, fostering healthier and greener environments for our children. This is the vision behind Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CHPS), an organization with revolutionary programs that aims to transform K-12 schools into eco-friendly havens of education.

The Role of CHPS in K-12 Schools

At its core, the CHPS criteria encompasses various aspects of sustainability within educational spaces. This multifaceted strategy within the criteria addresses energy, water, and material efficiency. In addition, the criteria ensure schools are well-lit, thermally comfortable, acoustically sound, safe, healthy, and easy to operate. 

The benefits of adopting CHPS in K-12 schools are vast. Energy-efficient buildings result in reduced operational costs, allowing schools to allocate resources to impactful programs. Many of the improvements outlined in CHPS criteria are designed to improve the health and productivity of students and staff. CHPS helps school districts reach their sustainability goals while creating positive ripple effects throughout the community.

ID360’s Impactful CHPS Consulting

ID360 is an industry leader when it comes to sustainability and the built environment. This is why we provide technical design support for those looking to implement the CHPS standards. We have consulted on numerous CHPS projects working directly with the school districts as well as the lead architects. 

ID360 worked with Barker Vilar Architects in the remodeling of Richmond High School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. The Richmond High School renovation project included a new 22,000-square-foot gymnasium and a new 30,000-square-foot classroom building. The project has been designed using the CHPS New Construction and Major Modernization Criteria.

We have also worked with Quattroccki Quok Architects on the renovation of Fremont High School in Oakland, California providing the support needed to integrate innovation and sustainable features. This project included a new gym and modular classroom building.

In our work with Franklin Elementary School & Huntington Park High School, both in the Los Angeles Unified School District, we collaborated with the district and GGA Architects to develop a sustainable design plan that incorporated energy-efficient systems and green building materials. We prepared a strategic implementation of all the CHPS criteria for both schools and supported GGA with the CHPS submittal process. 

Paving the Way for Greener, Healthier Learning Environments

In a world where environmental challenges are becoming increasingly urgent, the importance of environmentally friendly learning environments cannot be overstated. CHPS has emerged as an innovative solution that seamlessly merges education and sustainability.

District sustainability managers and architects have the power to shape the future of education with the help of green building practices. By collaborating with ID360 and embracing CHPS guidelines, you can pave the way for greener, healthier learning environments. Seize the current funding cycle as an opportunity to bring about lasting change. Together, we can build a brighter future—one school district at a time.

If you are ready to embark on a journey toward a green school, explore our portfolio of transformative projects and discover the potential of CHPS. Learn more about how CHPS can revolutionize education and create sustainable school environments for the next generation. Visit our CHPS Consulting Page to get started today.

ID360, a leading sustainability and decarbonization consulting firm, is proud to announce support to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in collaboration with GGA Architects to meet the Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CHPS) Verification Standards for Huntington Park High School and Franklin Elementary School. This innovative initiative will set new benchmarks in sustainable and energy-efficient school infrastructure. ID360 is supporting the Prime Vendor GGA to meet these goals

Huntington Park High School and Franklin Elementary School have long been pillars of the educational system in Los Angeles, nurturing generations of students. With a commitment to excellence and sustainability, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has targeted the CHPS Verification Standards to ensure that these facilities continue to provide the highest quality education while minimizing their environmental impact.

The CHPS Verification focus on achieving the highest standards in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall sustainability. By optimizing building designs, daylighting design, and incorporating cutting-edge technology, these schools will become great examples of environmentally responsible educational facilities.

Melanie Jacobson, Founder and Principal of ID360, stated, “We are proud to bring our environmental expertise to this endeavor. Through our partnership with GGA, we aim to set new benchmarks for sustainable school infrastructure in Los Angeles.”

Throughout the development and implementation process, The ID360 team lead the strategic implementation of all the CHPS criteria for both Franklin Elementary School and Huntington Park High School and is supporting GGA with the CHPS submittal process.

To learn more about ID360 sustainable building services and other certification support please visit https://www.ID360.green/building-services/

Between wildfires in Hawaii and missing sea ice in the Arctic, industry standards are changing and we are committed to keeping the community updated. Last month the Biden administration issued a Heat Alert action plan to combat workplace hazards caused by extreme heat and California just became the first state to adopt mandatory measures to reduce embodied carbon. Climate change has given way to record-breaking high temperatures across the globe, but President Biden, OSHA, the California Building Standards Commission, and the Department of Labor are working to develop standards and best practices we will all benefit from. 

Under President Biden’s Heat Alert, employees will have guaranteed heat-related protections under federal law. The Department of Labor will put systems in place to inform employees of their legal protections and increase enforcement of current standards with more frequent inspections in high-risk industries. OSHA is also taking steps to develop new standard heat safety rules for the workplace. These rules will reinforce workers’ rights to a safe work environment. 

Another win in the interest of climate change is the $7 million investment that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is making to improve the accuracy of our nation’s weather forecasts. This investment may help save thousands of lives as accurate weather forecasts are crucial for mitigating the damage that results from natural disasters and extreme weather events. This investment will help maximize the potential of the NOAA’s existing global observing system by pooling resources from universities and other institutions to create a new Data Assimilation Consortium. The investment towards this initiative is made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. 

The Department of the Interior will also be making a sizable investment to improve water storage in California, Colorado, and Washington. Their $152 million investment will increase water storage in the states previously mentioned. Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, carefully organized investments will be made toward critical water infrastructure that will make way for water recycling and desalination facilities for communities that have suffered from having contaminated water. 

The California Building Standards Commission voted unanimously for two building code changes that will limit embodied carbon emissions in the built environment. The code additions are amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) and in making these changes California becomes the first state in the nation to set code standards that require the reduction of embodied carbon in the design and building process for both commercial buildings and schools.  ID30 celebrates the efforts made by communities and our government to maintain the health of our planet. At ID360, we believe that sustainability is the way forward. If you are looking to implement innovative sustainable design policy and green project management, contact us and we’ll help you get started.