Best Green Schools

Schools all across the country are realizing that going green not only teaches an important lesson about conservation to children but it also saves them a lot of money. According to the Center for Green Schools, which just released the Best Of Green Schools 2011 list:

Green schools save on average $100,000 per year on operating costs — enough to hire two new teachers, buy 200 new computers, or purchase 5,000 textbooks. On average, green schools use 33 percent less energy and 32 percent less water than conventionally constructed schools, and if all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 billion over the next 10 years.

Schools that made the list are located in the Sacramento area, Ohio, Philadelphia, Kentucky and Boston. In March 2011, Lake Mills Middle School became the first public school in the nation to achieve LEED Platinum certification. The University of Texas at Dallas new LEED Platinum Student Services Building was the recipient of this year's Innovation in Green Building Award.