Issues > July/August 2006 (#115) > The Top 10 Green Schools in the U.S.: 2006

The Top 10 Green Schools in the U.S.: 2006

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6. Transportation: Recognizing that many of the new "box" schools lie some distance from city centers, adding considerable commute times, we asked about alternative options for faculty, students and staff, including carpooling, bicycle lanes and public transport. Since inhaling diesel fumes can damage lungs and trigger asthmatic episodes, we also checked if schools had a policy to prevent buses idling on school grounds—13 schools had such policies.

7. Environmental Curriculum: Connecting students' intellectual and emotional lives with their environs is one of the most significant outcomes a green education can have. As Stephen Kellert noted at a recent green schools conference, "the human brain is tied to sensory features and patterns in the natural environment" offering the chance to enrich the learning experience immeasurably by engaging kids in studies out of doors. Here we asked schools if they had an environmental curriculum and if so, what exactly it covered; almost two-thirds of respondents did have one.

8. Environmental Contaminants: This was the most detailed portion of the survey, with questions concentrating on threats to indoor air quality. We asked about the elimination of pesticides and whether the least toxic practices, known as "integrated pest management," are used indoors and outdoors. Twenty-two schools responded positively. Use of green cleaners reduces the exposure of staff, students and faculty to chlorine, ammonia and other caustic chemicals. Nineteen schools reported using them; half of those respondents relied on a third-party certifier like Green Seal to ensure the cleaners' eco-friendly status. Because of the widespread threats posed by lead in paint, asbestos, mold and arsenic in pressure-treated wood used in playground equipment, we checked on management policies for each of these contaminants. Finally, we asked about routine monitoring of air and water quality.

9. School Green Spaces: Flower and vegetable gardens, trails and woodland areas offer students unique learning opportunities, ranging from wildlife observation to planting and harvesting their own organic produce in "edible schoolyard" programs. We asked about varieties of green spaces, as well as landscaping with native plants (which helps reduce water and pesticide use). While 25 schools do prioritize using native plants, only four had edible schoolyards programs.

10. Environmental Quality: Once respondents had completed the questions above covering the range of environmental concerns, they were asked to rate their schools' overall commitment to environmental quality, from low to very high. Thirteen respondents selected low or moderate and 18 high to very high, while 36 did not respond.

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