Tag: USGBC

CHPS joins USGBC’s Center for Green Schools in landmark partnership to strengthen support for healthy, high-performance educational facilities nationwide

In a transformative move for the sustainable schools sector, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) is becoming part of USGBC, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of green building standards for educational facilities. This strategic transition brings together two industry leaders to create an unprecedented platform for advancing healthy, sustainable, and high-performance schools across the United States.

Strategic Partnership Built on Shared Vision

To build on a 20-year commitment to supporting U.S. schools, CHPS is becoming part of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both organizations to create a comprehensive approach to sustainable school design and operation, while ensuring continuity for existing stakeholders.

Transition Timeline and Support: Projects registered with CHPS will have two years to complete verification, with CHPS Designed, Verified, and Verified Leader certifications available until June 30, 2027. Current CHPS members will automatically receive proportional USGBC memberships, and projects transitioning to LEED will maintain CHPS pricing until certification completion.

Enhanced LEED for Schools Framework

The organizations are integrating CHPS criteria into LEED’s priority credit library, leveraging substantial overlap in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, daylighting, and resource stewardship. This creates enhanced pathways for schools seeking comprehensive green building certification while maintaining K-12-specific performance standards that have made CHPS successful.

A new collaborative for green school design excellence will convene K-12 districts and building industry stakeholders to translate research, create practical tools, and set ambitious goals for sustainable educational facilities.

Opportunities for Building Services Professionals

This transition creates significant opportunities for streamlined project delivery and enhanced certification strategies, including:

  • Schools seeking LEED for Schools certification with enhanced K-12-specific criteria
  • Districts completing existing CHPS projects through the two-year transition period
  • New projects leveraging combined expertise of both rating systems
  • Integrated approaches maximizing comprehensive green building benefits

The integration provides clarity for long-term planning while creating opportunities for enhanced technical support, with CHPS experts continuing to provide specialized guidance throughout the transition.

ID360: Your Partner for LEED for Schools Success

As schools navigate this transition, ID360 provides comprehensive LEED for Schools consulting services to help educational institutions maximize the benefits of sustainable building certification. Our experienced team of sustainable building professionals understands the unique requirements of educational facilities and can guide schools through:

  • LEED for Schools certification strategy development tailored to the school district’s goals and budget
  • Transition planning for schools currently pursuing or considering CHPS certification
  • Integrated design coordination to optimize building performance and certification outcomes
  • Policy development to support sustainable building requirements and funding strategies

Our expertise in LEED, CHPS, WELL, and CALGreen standards positions us to help schools achieve maximum environmental and educational benefits while navigating the evolving landscape of green building certifications.

The Path Forward

The integration of CHPS into USGBC’s Center for Green Schools creates a unified platform for advancing environmental performance and occupant wellbeing in educational facilities. This transition represents both an opportunity and responsibility to ensure every school project advances integrated sustainability goals while maintaining the specialized focus that has driven the green schools movement.

For building services professionals and school districts, this alignment creates the foundation for accelerated progress in educational facility excellence, combining proven expertise with expanded resources to make high-performance, healthy schools the standard rather than the exception.

Ready to maximize your school’s sustainability potential? ID360’s LEED for Schools consulting services can help your district navigate this transition and achieve comprehensive green building certification.

Contact ID360 today to discuss how we can support your school’s journey toward LEED for Schools certification and sustainable facility excellence. Learn More About Our LEED Consulting Services →

At ID360, we’re proud to collaborate with many forward-thinking organizations whose work is shaping how communities build, power, and thrive. From implementing cutting-edge building codes to fostering local energy control, groups like the International Code Council (ICC), Regional Energy Networks (RENs), California Community Choice Association (CalCCA), U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA), and the California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC) are helping California define what a sustainable future looks like—and how to get there.

International Code Council (ICC): Raising the Bar on Building Standards

The ICC’s California chapters are deeply engaged in development and education around modern building codes that prioritize safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Through training and technical guidance, ICC ensures that building practices keep pace with California’s changing needs.

Regional Energy Networks (RENs): Local Governments Leading Local Solutions

The RENs—such as BayREN, SoCalREN, and Tri-County REN—are regional collaborations that design and implement energy efficiency programs tailored to the unique needs of local communities. These coalitions often serve populations and sectors overlooked by traditional utilities, focusing on equity, innovation, and long-term impact. From workforce development to building retrofits, RENs are helping reduce energy use while empowering local action.

California Community Choice Association (CalCCA): Powering Cleaner Communities

Representing Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), CalCCA champions energy choice and local control. CCAs enable cities and counties to procure their own electricity, prioritizing renewable sources and affordability. By decentralizing power procurement and reinvesting in their communities, CalCCA members are playing a vital role in decarbonizing the grid and promoting energy democracy throughout California.

USGBC California (USGBC-CA): Shaping Sustainable Spaces

USGBC-CA is at the forefront of transforming how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated. Through green building certifications like LEED, education programs, and strong advocacy, the organization promotes healthier, more efficient environments. Their efforts help reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality, and showcase how sustainability enhances both well-being and economic performance.

California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC): Connecting Climate Leaders

The CCEC brings together local governments, researchers, and community organizations to share knowledge, align strategies, and implement effective climate solutions. Through peer learning, technical support, and policy development, the collaborative strengthens California’s climate response while building capacity at the local level. Their work is critical to ensuring that no community is left behind in the transition to a cleaner future.

Together, these organizations represent a powerful network of change agents. Their collective work demonstrates that smart policies, innovative programs, and strong partnerships can create a future where buildings are high-performing, communities are resilient, and sustainability is embedded in everyday practice.