On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, John T. White Elementary school in Fort Worth ISD was awarded the highest energy and resource efficiency rating designed for K-12 schools.  The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) is the first green building rating for schools containing all of the healthy amenities for a quality education.  John T. White Elementary School was the first CHPS verified school in Fort Worth. The school opened its doors in August of 2011 and was designed to serve 650 students in a rapidly growing area of east Fort Worth.

As the CHPS criteria was specifically intended to assist schools in making environmentally responsible learning spaces, it was an honor for BRW Team Leaders, Lisa Lamkin and Anne Hildenbrand, to be part of the ceremony.  “Sustainable, high performance schools invest in the learning environment with improved indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics.  They also reward the community with decades of lower operating costs due to reduced water and electricity usage while educating future citizens on the benefits of environmental stewardship”, stated Ms. Lamkin.

Some of the sustainable features include: Inside and outside joint use spaces, light-colored paving and roofing materials to beat the heat, preferred parking for car pooling and fuel efficient vehicles, outdoor light pollution reduction, native plants that require less water in this region, low-flow toilets and faucets and a water efficient irrigation system that greatly reduces water consumption, geothermal heating and cooling system, recycled products used in construction of the building, improved lighting with ample natural light, enhanced acoustics and individual classroom air-conditioning units.

All Photos Taken By:  LaKeisha S. Fields,  AECOM