Sustainable Energy Projects Can Save Money and Attract Students
Through thoughtful planning and implementation, some schools have saved between $10,000 and $100,000 per year.
NAIS Toolkit: Sustainable Energy Projects
Advancing sustainability in school operations, especially in energy efficiency, can meet three vital goals: conserving natural resources, helping to mitigate climate change, and saving money. In some cases, it may even help to increase an independent school’s enrollment. Beyond the environmental benefits, schools of diverse types and sizes, and with varying financial situations, are seeing substantial long-term savings through building efficiencies, solar power installations, and transportation improvements. Energy-saving technology and design can bring strong five-, 10-, and 20-year returns on an institution’s investment. The key reasons for strong results have included leadership buy-in, careful research and clear goals, teamwork, good communications, and reliable professional services.
Deep Dive
NAIS Guide to Sustainability Planning
The following guidelines will assist your school both in creating and implementing a strong sustainability plan.
NAIS Guide to High-Performance Buildings and Renovation
As the cost gap between conventional and high-performance buildings narrows, choosing green has become standard practice.
NAIS Guide to Solar Power on Campus
This guide discusses motivations, risks, and options for making investments in solar electricity projects on campus.
Tips, Case Studies, and More
Six Tips for an Effective Sustainability Project
When developing a sustainability project for your school, consider these action steps.
A Sustainability Audit that Brought Big Returns
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School examined every facet of operations and facilities at the school’s three campuses.
Making Energy Conservation Measures Matter
Darrow School has saved about $10,000 a year on heating costs after a renovation of its STEM Center in 2012.
Lighting the Way for Environmental Benefits
Rye Country Day School projects a 10-year savings of almost $775,000 from retrofitting lights with LED bulbs and fixtures.
Harnessing the Power of Solar
Worcester Academy expects to save $2 million in energy costs over a 20-year solar net metering credit purchase agreement.
Solar Energy Systems Generate Substantial Savings
Hawai'i Preparatory Academy estimates annual savings of about $67,000 after installing two photovoltaic systems.
HPA estimates annual savings from both systems of about $67,000
A Mission of Sustainability
Midland School’s nearly 3,000-acre campus offers an alternative to the traditional model: “Sustainability is in our mission.”
Sustainability in Action
Sustainability themes run through The Town School's curriculum in every grade, including Life Skills classes in fifth through seventh grades.
Highlighting the Theme of Sustainability
Princeton Day School’s marketing materials, both online and in print, regularly feature its sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Leadership for Innovation and Organizational Change
What would it mean to position sustainability as a driver of institutional engagement, agility, and change-capability at your school?
Best Practices
Environmental Sustainability
Schools can become more environmentally sustainable and can ensure that their graduates are prepared to contribute to a more sustainable world.
Environmentally Sustainable Schools Community
This NAIS Connect Community provides a forum to share ideas on sustainability with your independent school colleagues.
Greening America's Schools
This book makes the case for independent schools "going green" and highlights schools that have done so.
Environmental Sustainability
Browse NAIS's library of environmental sustainability resources, information, and best practices.
Additional Resources
- Green Schools Alliance Resource Center
- NASA Resources on Global Climate Change
- United Nations Resources on Climate Change
- NAIS Guide to Campus Climate Action
- Guide for Incorporating Sustainability into the Curriculum
- Independent Ideas Blog: 10 Ways to Teach Outdoor Education and a Sense of Wonder
- NAIS Guide to Sustainability Assessment
- How to Sustainability Action Plan
- Guide to Improving Indoor Air Quality
- NAIS Guide to Healthy and Sustainable Dining