So refreshing to see that the trend of schools going green is picking up momentum. Recently we learned of a school that took “green” to a whole new level. The Learning Gate Community School in Lutz, Florida, walks the talk when it comes to all things green. Their curriculum is green, they have a “green team” comprised of students, staff and teachers… and now thanks in part to a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant, several of their buildings are green. Not only green … but they are the first public school to achieve “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” - LEED for Schools Platinum certification.

Here’s what I learned about LEED certification:

“The LEED rating system considers a new building's air quality, water and energy efficiency, environmentally friendly materials and construction waste. Even the type of landscaping around the building and how it is irrigated is considered.”

What I think are some of  Learning Gate School's neatest green features are solar-powered classrooms and toilets flushed with rainwater. If you are interested in learning more about the process that the Learning Gate Community School went through to achieve Platinum certification, I highly recommend watching this fun video: Journey into Platinum.

Charles Girard, contractor for the project and President & CEO of Green Modular Solutions gave me a rundown of what he thinks are the most notable aspects of the Learning Gate Community School’s green buildings (with my notes in italics):

• an innovative HVAC system that “washes” the air to make sure that it is clean (Don’t you just wonder sometimes when the same virus goes around the school over and over, if it has to do with the HVAC system?!)


• daylight lighting that mimics natural lighting (Who doesn’t hate fluorescent lights?)


• a building that is synergetic – in other words, all parts of the building work together efficiently thus taxing our environment as minimally as possible. (A building setting a positive example for students – now that’s cool.)

It makes sense that these and more features all add up to a learning environment that has healthy students and staff, and an overall better learning environment. Not to mention that the whole approach is setting an amazing example for the students. I wish my kids went to this school!

So kudos to Learning Gate for taking on this immense project in order to benefit their kids, and to Lowe’s for helping to fund it.
Since 2006, Lowe’s has donated more than $22 million to 4,900 K-12 public schools, benefitting more than 2.5 million school children. Now that’s impressive. The current Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant cycle is open until October 15. What projects is your school thinking about?