The development of green school facilities- Life for schools programs.

The Life for Schools Programs transfer the benefits from private developers back to the school’s and the children they serve- supporting autism programs and other efforts that may be underfunded or under served.

The Foundation strives to be at the forefront of green school building practices to create the optimal education environment. Green schools are healthy for students, teachers and the environment. Built right, green schools are productive learning environments with ample natural light, high-quality acoustics and air that is safe to breathe. Schools everywhere are going green, nurturing children while saving money. Get the facts and learn how you can make the case to build green schools. Visit US Green Building Council’s newly launched schools Web site – www.buildgreenschools.org to learn more about what you can do to help promote green schools in your community.

The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Based on the LEED for New Construction rating system, it addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention and environmental site assessment.

As with all facilities, Green schools do not have to cost a penny more. LEED certified projects to date demonstrate that you can achieve LEED certification and reap its many benefits with a common-sense approach to design with no additional dollars. Depending on your green building strategy and the level of certification your project is targeting, there may be mid- and long-term ROI associated with additional green features that merits an investment in first costs.