Newark Academy is committed to educating students about the importance of sustainability and providing an experience in which students can develop the skills needed to be ethically responsible global citizens. The Director of Sustainability initiates and coordinates efforts to carry out the school’s mission in a way that prioritizes environmental sustainability as an essential educational and institutional value.

*Job descriptions on Green Strides are provided as examples for other schools/districts to learn about how sustainability-related jobs can be designed and advertised. 

The Hawaii Preparatory Academy Sustainability Director is responsible for the implementation and management of the sustainability objectives set forth in the HPA Sustainability Plan. This position will lead the independent schools' commitment to integrate sustainable practices (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors) into the physical plant, educational programs, and organizational culture.

*Job descriptions on Green Strides are provided as examples for other schools/districts to learn about how sustainability-related jobs can be designed and advertised. 

The Princeton Day School employs the Director of Sustainability and Environmental Education to create projects at all grade levels and teach an upper school elective course in any discipline related to sustainability.

*Job descriptions on Green Strides are provided as examples for other schools/districts to learn about how sustainability-related jobs can be designed and advertised. 

The Evergreen School is a small PK-8 independent school outside of Seattle in WA state that supports a .75 FTE sustainability coordinator role with 60% of time dedicated to sustainability programming.

*Job descriptions on Green Strides are provided as examples for other schools/districts to learn about how sustainability-related jobs can be designed and advertised. 

The intent and scope of this document is to provide guidance to owners, operators, designers, and professional service providers on how to best implement indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements, including risk mitigation strategies, in educational facilities.

The purpose of this guidance is to help inform and increase consumer understanding on the use of low-cost air pollution monitors indoors, their potential benefits and limitations, and how to apply the data they provide towards improving indoor air quality.

Air Sensor technology advances and increasing availability in the consumer marketplace are changing the landscape of indoor air quality management.

This resource, developed in partnership between The Aspen Institute’s This Is Planet Ed and the World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative, outlines the potential opportunities in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support schools in taking climate action. The report provides information about tax credits, potential financing mechanisms, and grants in the IRA. We provide a short description of the provision, highlight the lead agency and eligible beneficiaries, and discuss the potential benefits to schools.

Healthy school environments can affect the attendance, concentration and performance of both students and educators.  This website presents information and funding on key topics about establishing and enhancing healthy school environments. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced more than $80M, the first tranche of funding in a $500M investment, to make clean energy improvements in K-12 public schools. Funds will empower school districts to make upgrades that will lower facilities’ energy costs and improve student learning environments. Other funding opportunities and resources specifically for schools are made available on this site.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a historic investment in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities. With unprecedented funding to support state and local waste management infrastructure and recycling programs, EPA will improve health and safety and help establish and increase recycling programs nationwide. 

EPA's 3Ts - Training, Testing, and Taking Action - Here you will find information and recommendations to prepare schools, childcare facilities, and states to build a voluntary implementation program to reduce lead levels in drinking water. 

Access on-demand webinars on a variety of topics related to healthy schools and energy savings plus health.

EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, has awarded grants to seven universities under the 2013 “Healthy Schools: Environmental Factors, Children’s Health and Performance, and Sustainable Building Practices” Request for Application (RFA). This Healthy Schools STAR Research will improve the understanding of the relationship between environmental factors in K-12 educational facilities and the safety, health and academic performance of children, and the effectiveness of teachers and staff.

Sign up for EPA’s National Center for Environmental Research listserv to receive announcements on new funding opportunities, upcoming research meetings and webinars, and special announcements.

On October 11, 2022, the White House hosted a Summit on improving Indoor Air Quality, bringing together public health and ventilation experts, private sector and education leaders, and other stakeholders to highlight the benefits of improved indoor air quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced projects that have been selected to receive over $30 million in grant funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. This grant funding, and additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make rapid progress on the goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country.

Interactive guide to help schools and childcare providers identify potential funding sources for lead remediation and water quality-related projects. This guide lists 4 federal programs, 79 state programs, and 115 foundations/companies providing funding opportunities.

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s new Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over the next five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. EPA solicited applications for $500 million through the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates for zero-emission and low-emission school bus rebates as the first funding opportunity.  

Technical Resources for Schools (Ventilation, HVAC system Operation)

Promote a healthy learning environment at your school to reduce absenteeism, improve test scores and enhance student and staff productivity.

The “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge” is a call to action and a set of guiding principles and best practices to assist building owners and operators with reducing risks from airborne viruses and other contaminants indoors. 

The following piece is a case study written by the New Jersey Climate Change Education Initiative, showcasing its efforts to expand climate change education in New Jersey.  

K-12 school districts spend nearly $8 billion annually on energy costs, the second largest expense after teacher salaries. Aging facilities combined with limited school budgets result in deferred maintenance of facilities with an estimated $270 billion needed for infrastructure repairs.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is challenging organizations to set ambitious, portfolio-wide GHG emission reduction goals. This new effort provides additional opportunities for peer exchange and technical assistance to meet the urgent call to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The National Environmental Education Foundation’s Climate Superstars Challenge is an online environmental challenge that gets kids excited about the environment and how they can take an active role in caring for its future. During the challenge, middle school classrooms and after-school programs in grades 6-8 complete short tasks geared towards environmental literacy and energy efficiency. Classes that complete a specified number of tasks are entered into a prize drawing.  Consult the program website for specific dates and registration links.

The Vitamin N Challenge was inspired by Richard Louv’s book on Vitamin N that includes 500 practical ideas to leading a nature-rich life. Join the challenge to help youth on summer break spend time outdoors.

Pre-College University launched the Environmental Justice Academy, with funding by the Department of Energy’s Office of Legacy Management, to introduce individuals to the field of Environmental Justice. The free courses are designed for all skill levels and include Environmental Justice 101 and Climate Justice.