Studies have shown that schools incorporating passive solar features, such as daylighting, use less energy, student grades have improved, and attendance is higher. - EnergySmart Schools

According to a study conducted by the Alberta Department of Energy in Canada, students benefited significantly from attending schools where daylight, rather than traditional artificial lighting, was the principal source of internal lighting. The study found that students enrolled in schools where daylighting was prevalent exhibited among other things: reduced absenteeism by 3.5 days per year, increased concentration levels, a significant reduction in library noise, better scholastic performance and more positive moods induced by natural light.

McKinney ISD
The Roy Lee Walker Sustainable Elementary School project is a prototype design commissioned by the State Energy Conservation Office of Texas (SECO) to be one of the first sustainable school projects in the state. The school's design incorporates many environmentally friendly design principles, including rainwater collection, day lighting, wind energy, solar energy, the use of recycled building materials, outdoor teaching spaces, water habitat and landscaping sensitivity. Finally, the design fosters "Eco Education," a term that describes the incorporation of environmentally sound facility design into the school's own educational curriculum.

The Roy Lee Walker Elementary School was completed in July, 2000, and opened for school in August, 2000. The photos were taken during and after construction, between December 1, 1999, and August 17, 2000. The American Institute of Architects named this school to the Earth Day Top 10 List for Environmentally Responsible Design Projects. The district is currently using sustainable design for their next two elementary schools.

The McKinney district built another elementary school, Wolford Elementary School, which also opened in August, 2000. The school was based on the design used for the previous 7 elementary campuses in the district, and will provide us with an excellent comparison for both the energy and educational impacts of the sustainable design.

The sustainable building practices at Roy Lee Walker Sustainable Elementary School include: building siting and orientation; optimizing natural lighting, providing for task lighting and specifying high-efficiency electric lighting; establishing an energy budget for each project; specifying locally or regionally produced products; designing to minimize cut-off waste and providing for recycling during construction; specifying materials and finishes with low or no volatile organic compound emissions and providing adequate ventilation; considering energy, water, materials consumption, transportation and impacts on natural systems when selecting products and materials; minimizing impervious surface and providing infiltration and retention of storm water; landscaping with native vegetation; and looking for opportunities to provide shelter or habitat for compatible species as well as to restore waterways, vegetation and habitats.

Austin ISD
SECO's other selected sustainable school project is somewhat different. Austin Independent School District coupled with the City of Austin in building the JJ Pickle Elementary/St John's Community Center. The commitment of the school district and the city, and the expectations of the community will ensure that this project will be a showcase for future sustainable projects through out the state. Pickle Elementary is on track to welcome
students for the new 2001-2002 school year.

SECO is currently preparing RFPs for future sustainable school design projects for Middle school and High School campuses. By doing this we will be able to provide other Texas school districts with examples of sustainable designs for each type of school facility. Our goal is to encourage Texas school districts to look at life cycle cost, energy conservation and the environment when they design and build their facilities.

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