As students and teachers return to classrooms this fall, school leaders are juggling a mandate that is more complex than ever: improve indoor air quality, reduce energy costs and, increasingly, address sustainability and decarbonization goals.
For many districts operating with aging infrastructure and limited budgets, it’s a tall order—but one that directly impacts student success and community well-being.
Health case: Indoor air quality and student outcomes
Research shows that the quality of classroom air influences how well students feel and perform. Yet, according to the latest Clean Air Survey of North American Educators, just 36% of U.S. teachers rate their classroom air quality as “good” or “excellent.”
More than 80% worry that poor air quality contributes to student illness, and nearly half say their schools lack the technology to address it. In other words, for many students, learning begins in an environment that may already be undermining their attendance and focus.
Financial case: Energy costs and failing systems
Schools nationwide spend billions of dollars each year on utilities, making energy one of the largest controllable expenses in district budgets. Rising costs only deepen the challenge.
At the same time, essential infrastructure is under strain: the Houston Independent School District, for example, logged more than 1,600 HVAC-related work orders in a single month this past spring, prompting a $21 million investment across dozens of campuses. Incidents like this underscore how fragile existing systems are—and how costly deferred maintenance can become.
Sustainability case: Decarbonization pressures
On top of health and cost concerns, school leaders are now facing mounting calls to reduce carbon emissions. Local regulations, state climate goals and even teachers’ unions are placing sustainability firmly on the agenda.
For districts, this creates both pressure and opportunity: decisions about HVAC systems, building envelopes, and interior design can now deliver co-benefits—improving health, saving money and cutting emissions at the same time.
Strategic moment for school leaders
The good news is that integrated design, sustainable renovations and smarter use of building systems can help schools navigate this complex landscape.
When facilities are planned and maintained holistically, everyday building elements can become powerful levers for health, cost savings, and sustainability. For example, districts can:
- Optimize ceiling systems for efficiency and health. Modern ceiling solutions can support airflow patterns that enhance ventilation, integrate LED lighting for lower energy use, and improve acoustics that reduce distractions—all while lowering the load on HVAC systems and reducing energy use, which checks the boxes for both financial and sustainability optimization.
- Upgrade HVAC in tandem with architectural design. Rather than simply replacing aging systems, pairing HVAC improvements with ceiling, wall, and envelope upgrades can amplify gains in indoor air quality and efficiency.
- Use design to reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Thoughtful layouts and interior choices can help classrooms maintain comfortable temperatures and healthy airflow naturally, reducing overuse of energy-intensive equipment.
- Integrate sustainability into long-term planning. Decarbonization targets and energy-efficiency mandates are expanding. Embedding these goals into facility master plans ensures compliance while creating healthier, more resilient learning environments.
These strategies show that solutions aren’t just about fixing what’s broken—they’re about designing smarter, future-ready schools where health, performance, and sustainability work together.
A back-to-school imperative
This back-to-school season offers more than a symbolic reset. It’s a moment to reimagine learning environments as healthier, more efficient, and more sustainable spaces—places that truly set students up to thrive.
By prioritizing indoor air, energy performance, and sustainability together, superintendents and principals can help ensure their facilities are not just keeping pace with urgent challenges but leading the way in shaping resilient, future-ready schools.
