West Brazos School First in Texas to Receive LEED Certification
BRAZORIA, Texas — The new LEED-certified West Brazos Junior High School is breaking ground in green design and student test scores.
The new school is the first public junior high school in Texas to receive LEED certification. The state is trying to pass legislation that would require all new public buildings to achieve basic certification.
Designed by SHW Group’s Houston studio, the school features several green design elements, including a 260-foot circulation spine connecting several learning/activity pod centers that include clerestory windows for maximum daylighting. Low-E glazing on building windows improve thermal efficiency, while shading devices double as light shelves, distributing light further into learning spaces. A rainwater detention and filtration system helps to manage stormwater runoff, and drought-resistant, native landscaping reduces water use at the school.
More than 55 percent of the school’s building materials were obtained locally and interior finish materials contain 17.7 percent combined recycled content. More than 55 percent of building waste was diverted from landfills.
To help maintain the school’s LEED rating, officials implemented a green housekeeping program that utilizes Green Seal-certified cleaning products and procedures. An on-campus recycling policy that includes storage and collection has also been started.
Other features include a reflective Energy Star roofing system and reflective paving to reduce the heat island effect in and around the building. Students and staff will also have access to alternative transportation through bicycle storage, a changing room, plug-in stations for electric vehicles and preferred parking for carpooling groups.
Tests comparing student performance in the new junior high building to student performance in the old building show improvements in the areas of reading, math, social studies and attendance, which project officials attribute in part to the focus green design and construction.
“Study after study has proven that sustainable design in schools fosters a better learning and teaching environment, specifically noting that the improvements in air quality and natural daylighting improve test scores and reduce absences,” says Jennifer Henrikson, project manager with SHW.
Reading at West Brazos improved by 5 percentage points to 96 percent; attendance rose from 95.2 percent to 95.7 percent; social studies scores improved 7 percentage points to 92 percent; and math increased from 87 percent to 91 percent.
Achieving LEED certification for the school did not significantly add to the total project cost, officials say, allowing the school to devote more funds toward educational programming and instruction. Maintenance, operations and utilities costs are also lower compared to conventionally built facilities of a similar size.