High Performance Schools or green schools are those which have been designed to meet specific performance objectives leading them to perform in the top 10 percent of buildings in the U.S., and significantly above building code regulations in energy use, acoustic levels, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, water efficiency, and storm water management.

High Performance Schools are...

Healthy Safe and Productive Learning Environments which enable students and teachers to achieve their maximum potential by providing:

• High levels of acoustic, thermal, and visual comfort;
• Large amounts of natural daylight;
• Superior indoor air quality; and
• A safe and secure environment.
  

Cost Effective facilities that save money over time by being efficient to build, operate and maintain by employing:

• Energy analysis tools to optimize energy performance;
• A life cycle cost approach to reduce the total costs of ownership;
• A commissioning process to ensure the facility operates in a manner consistent with design intent;
• Technologies to reduce demand for energy and water, thereby saving money and reducing exposure to variable energy and water costs and;
• More durable materials and training for maintenance staff to extend the life of the facility and lower maintenance costs.
  

Educationally Effective, creating superior teaching and learning environments that:

• Incorporate stimulating architecture;
• Embrace learning-centered design;
• Are flexible and adaptable;
• Are accessible and inclusive; and
• Optimize information technology.
  

Environmentally Friendly, minimizing environmental impacts and maximizing the use of non-polluting, renewable resources by integrating:

• Energy conservation and renewable energy strategies;
• High performance mechanical and lighting systems;
• Environmentally responsive site planning;
• Environmentally preferable materials and products; and
• Water-efficient design.
  

Community Centered, creating schools that are integral parts of a community by:

• Encouraging community involvement in the design process
• Optimizing opportunities for community use of the facility.
  

There are currently more than 150 school buildings in the Northeast that can be called "high performance" or that incorporate many high performance design elements. As more states and communities realize the value of high performance design, the number of these schools will increase dramatically.

The High Performance Schools Exchange serves as a resource for state school funding agencies, policymakers, design professionals, builders, and school districts seeking more information about the "how" and "why" of high performance design.

This Web site has been developed to serve as an information resource for those who want to learn more about High Performance School design. If you need more help, please contact Carolyn Sarno at 781-860-9177, ext. 19, or csarno@neep.org