Boston Public Schools Among 'Best Green Schools' in Country

The Boston Public schools were recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools in their Best of Green Schools list. 

The USCGBC recognized school districts for leadership increating healthy, energy efficient, and academically stimulating learning environments - in their first inaugural Best of Green Schools.

Schools from across the nation, from K-12 to higher education, were recognized for a variety of sustainable, cost-cutting measures, including energy conservation, LEED-certified buildings, as well as collaborative platforms and policies to green infrastructure. 

This year Boston has experienced many green school accomplishments from increasing access to healthy food through the Local Lunch Thursday’s program to saving $75,000 in energy costs by installing occupancy light sensors (the lights turn on only when there is someone in theroom) in 19 schools. Boston also announcer the opening of Boston Green Academy, the first school in the district to integrate concepts of economic, environmental and social equity across the curriculum with the goal of preparing all students to live their lives responsibly and sustainably. 

USGBC also recognized Boston Mayor Thomas Menino as a “Convener” for hosting the Research Summit on Childhood Health and School Buildings. The summit brought researchers together to explore the connection between school facilities and student health.

“The importance of a healthy school building and its impact on the ability to provide a positive learning environment can not be overstated,“ said Menino via press release. “I would like to thank the U.S. Green Building Council for their partnership as we continue to explore how we can be better caretakers of our planet.”

This fall, the Summit on Childhood Health and School Buildings was held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Participants spent a full day analyzing past research successes and challenges. Participants came up with research methods to further studies looking at the connection between school facilities, student health and academic performance. 

Boston representatives included Leo Bethune of the Boston Public Health Commission, Jim Hunt of the City of Boston Environmental Department, John Dalzell from the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and Phoebe Beierle - a Boston Public Schools Green School Fellow.  

Beierle, is one of the first USGBC Center for Green Schools Fellows, who works as a sustainability coordinator working with the school district for three years. The coordinator works with BPS faculty, administration, facilities staff, teachers and students to advance whole-district sustainability initiatives. 

Recipient schools and regions from across the nation – from K-12 to higher education – were recognized for a variety of sustainable, cost-cutting measures, including energy conservation, record numbers of LEED® certified buildings and collaborative platforms and policies to green U.S. school infrastructure. Their commitments to measurable and innovative sustainable building goals serve as models for schools and campuses everywhere. 

This year alone, Boston has experienced many green school accomplishments from increasing access to healthy food through the Local Lunch Thursday’s program to saving $75,000 in energy costs by installing occupancy light sensors (the lights turn on only when there is someone in theroom) in 19 schools, to opening Boston Green Academy, the first school in the district to integrate concepts of economic, environmental and social equity across the curriculum with the goal of preparing all students to live their lives responsibly and sustainably.