The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Board of Directors approved the 2006 Edition of the CHPS Criteria at its meeting on August 24 in San Diego. The 2006 CHPS Criteria apply not only to the design and construction of new schools, but also to major modernizations and additions to existing school campuses.

“The latest CHPS Criteria raise the bar for California learning environments. A better quality learning environment will improve California education and will lead to safe, healthy and community-centered schools.” says Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Chairman of the California Energy Commission and the Chair of the CHPS Board of Directors.

"The Revised Criteria resulted from a rigorous consensus process that involved experts in all aspects of high performance school design", said Bill Orr of the California Integrated Waste Management Board and Chair of the CHPS Technical Committee. "School districts, architects, engineers, construction managers and product manufacturers all made contributions as well as experts on waste reduction and materials selection, daylighting, acoustics, air quality, water efficiency and energy efficiency. We are proud that we were able to involve so many of the stakeholders in California school construction and address all their comments and concerns."

To download a copy of the CHPS 2006 Edition Criteria and Scorecard click on the image below.

The 2006 CHPS Criteria is a response to public demand for high performance school facilities that contain all the amenities for a quality education. The CHPS program has been adopted by 15 school districts in California, representing almost 2 million K-12 students. These students will soon experience the health, productivity, resource efficiency, and energy efficiency benefits of a CHPS high performance school. The CHPS Criteria have also been selected by the California State Architect as the standard for California K-12 schools, in response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order of 2005.

California Education Secretary Alan Bersin says that, “Our children are the future and we need to build our schools in a way that sets an example for our children about what the world should look like in the future. Children learn best by example, and by building energy efficient, environmentally friendly schools, the lesson will not be lost on them. CHPS provides an outstanding framework to help California school districts design and build such facilities.”

CHPS Professional Design Trainings

Join us for these FREE, three-hour in-depth seminars on the 2006 Edition of the CHPS Criteria and Design Volumes. Learn from our CHPS experts either online or in person. REGISTER ME!

Sustaining Your Sustainable School - The Role of Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning in High Performance Schools.

Join us in San Francisco for this FREE three-hour workshop focusing on commissioning and retro-commissioning, it’s benefits in energy efficiency, comfort, and maintenance, how those benefits are achieved, and what to expect from a commissioning provider. The instructors will use real-world examples to illustrate the types of problems avoided and issues resolved with commissioning, will present some of the tools used in the commissioning and retro-commissioning process, and will walk you through the steps for obtaining CHPS credits with commissioning of new and existing school buildings. REGISTER ME!

Displacement Ventilation in High Performance School Design

Join us in San Diego for this FREE four-hour seminar dedicated to the design and analysis of new schools, emphasizing displacement ventilation applications in schools and energy efficiency. Gain a better understanding of CHPS and how their resources can help you design and build better learning environments. REGISTER ME!

Chartwell School

This new school is located in Seaside, California, near scenic Monterey Bay. It is designed to serve 160 students grades kindergarten through eighth. "Because not all great minds think alike, Chartwell educates students with a wide range of visual and auditory language-based learning challenges in a way that provides the learning skills, confidence, and creativity to return successfully to mainstream education and to learn throughout life,” said Chartwell Executive Director, Douglas Atkins. Atkins stated that “though Chartwell was established in 1983, we had always operated in older, rented facilities and when it was time to design Chartwell's first permanent home, our highest priorities were student learning and health.”

Chartwell School surpassed the CHPS minimum requirements for a High Performance School (28) earning 57 CHPS points! EHDD Architecture employed careful planning and attention to detail in order to achieve its high performance goals. Michelle Hill from EHDD Architecture, stated that "the Chartwell campus will provide a high performance educational environment for the students, showcasing design principles that support and enhance learning." Hill stated that "a strong focus of the design is on high performance, healthy classrooms.” “Natural ventilation, radiant heating, and a well-insulated envelope will ensure thermal comfort, and contribute to high quality classroom acoustics by eliminating the noise generated by more traditional HVAC systems," says Hill.

Chartwell School exceeds Title 24 (2001) energy standards by 30%, however by utilizing its 30 Kw Photovoltaic system the school can reduce its net electrical usage by 100%. At least 80 % of the construction waste was recycled rather than land filled. Water was conserved to ensure lower operational costs and preservation of resources by selecting waterless urinals and high efficiency irrigation technology. Skylights and daylit classrooms coupled with optimal building orientation are expected to enhance student performance and reduce the need for electric light.

Maywood Academy High School

Maywood Academy High School is in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and was designed to meet the CHPS Criteria by WLC Architects, Inc. and LAUSD's New Construction Division. Maywood Academy surpassed the minimum threshold for a CHPS school, 28 points, receiving 50 points under the 2002 Edition! Ying Wang, LAUSD's Project Manager, stated that “the sustainable features were well integrated into the architectural design from conceptual design stages," and that "it took good team work, including the designers, contractors, and community to reach the goal."

Through careful planning Maywood Academy was designed to exceed Title 24 (2001) energy standards by 30% through utilizing daylight and photo sensors that automatically dim based on the daylight available. In addition, cool roofs were installed on 100% of the schools roofs decreasing the need for air conditioning. Both this feature and reducing impervious surfaces the school reduces its contribution to the heat island effect in the LA area. Special attention to material selection was made a priority for environmental protection and to ensure healthy indoor air quality. Materials and finishes were chosen that were low-emitting (carpet and ceiling tile), and materials with high recycled content (steel and gypsum board) were specified. At least 50 percent of the construction waste was recycled rather than land filled. The classrooms are also sound isolated achieving an optimal desired noise level in a learning environment, 45dbA.

Loi Thai of WLC Architects, Inc. stated that “it has been a privilege to participate in one of the first projects with a progressive District to incorporate ideas toward a sustainable environment and student performance. The experience and knowledge gained through this project will not only have a positive impact on future projects, but the futures of the students and community to whichever degree it might be.”

The California Energy Commission has low interest loans available to finance energy efficiency projects in public k-12 schools, public colleges and universities, local governments, special districts and public health care facilities. These low interest loans can finance any commercially available energy efficiency equipment with proven energy savings. Examples include lighting, motors, pumps, HVAC, EMS, controls, renewable energy systems, TES. The efficiency projects need to be technically and economically feasible. Loans must be repaid from energy savings within 15 years, including principal and interest. This results in an approximate 9.8-year simple payback. The interest rate is 4.5%. Early project completion can lower your interest rate.  It is possible for new construction and modernization projects to finance the incremental cost of more efficient equipment compared to baseline equipment or equipment that is being replaced. Great opportunity for retrofits, equipment replacement and upgrades. Call 916-653-5285 or visit our website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/index.html

CHPS appreciates its members commitment to improving the learning environments for school children, and welcomes the following organizations and individuals to its membership:

Forbo Flooring

View our entire membership list and learn about the benefits of joining online at: http://www.chps.net/membership/index.htm

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