GRPS LEEDs state in green-build schools

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School, located at 1205 Grandville SW, was officially awarded LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on May 24, 2011.  LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings. 

Chavez Elementary School is the fifth Grand Rapids Public School to receive LEED certification.  Sibley Elementary was Certified first in June of 2008; followed by Harrison Park Elementary and Middle School in September of 2008, Gerald R. Ford Middle School in May of 2009 and Burton Elementary and Middle School in November of 2009.  GRPS has the largest selection of green-built, LEED certified schools in the entire State of Michigan and ranks among the most in the nation.

Chavez Elementary was designed to achieve LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.  LEED verifies the environmental performance, occupant health and financial return of a facility. Chavez Elementary was designed by Kingscott A.E. and constructed by Triangle Associates, Inc.   

LEED certification of Chavez Elementary School was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community.  These features include:

• Chavez Elementary has a roof rain garden that uses rain water to grow plants and grasses, diverting excess water from the sewer system.  In addition, the roof rain garden reduces the roof temperatures in the summer.
• Low emitting adhesives, paints, carpet and wood were used throughout the building to enhance indoor air quality.
• Day light windows and curtain walls increase the amount of natural daylight in classrooms, offices and hallways, decreasing the need for artificial florescent light.
• Each room is equipped with occupancy sensors used to control lighting and promote energy conservation.
•  A state-of–the-art heating and cooling system provides optimum comfort for occupants and energy savings for the District. 

The Grand Rapids Public Schools District made a commitment to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices in their new buildings and major renovations at the start of the 2004 voter approved Bond Construction. This has resulted in five LEED certified buildings and numerous green practices throughout the District.