The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) is now a part of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Green Building Council says the new collaborative will leverage the expertise and shared history of the two organizations to increase access to resources, accelerate the development of school-focused solutions, and incentivize action in local school districts.
“The union of USGBC and CHPS strengthens our ability to transform learning environments around the globe and further our shared vision for healthy, green schools for all students and teachers," said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the USGBC.
CHPS was founded in 1999 as a catalyst for California’s state agencies and major utilities to address energy efficiency in schools and help reduce energy costs in K-12 education facilities. It has since expanded its work to address all aspects of high-performance school design, construction and operation nationwide. The organization has worked to improve student and staff performance, reduce operating costs and enhance environmental stewardship.
The USGBC established the Center for Green Schools at USGBC in 2010 and it has come instrumental in growing the green schools movement, the USGBC says.
“Our transition to join USGBC is an opportunity to bolster the high-performance schools movement with joint resources and expertise while aligning our missions and visions,” says Craig Schiller, executive director at CHPS. He now will program director of the new collaborative within the Center for Green Schools at USGBC.
