Prairie Heights Middle School in Evans, Colo., has received LEED Gold certification for its environmentally sensitive design and construction.

The Greeley-Evans district says that the 103,000-square-foot, two-story school, which opened on a 22-acre campus in August 2015, costs 20 percent less to operate than other Greeley-Evans buildings of a similar size.

“Gold LEED Certification is not easy to obtain and we are grateful to the staff who helped make this happen," says Superintendent Deirdre Pilch. 

Sustainable features in the school include non-toxic building materials, window seals that prevent air leakage, a design that brings daylight to every classroom, low-energy electrical systems and low-water flush toilets.

"This building is safer in terms of health and a more stable environment for learning," says Kent Henson, assistant superintendent of support services.

A gold plaque hangs in the cafeteria that designated the facility as a Certified Gold LEED building.

The new building replaced John Evans Middle School, which opened in 1964.