Built Green Canada is piloting a school program that takes a holistic approach to development and focuses on optimizing health, resiliency, lifecycle sustainability, greenhouse and carbon emissions, green spaces, resource consumption and organizational practices.

Canadian children spend six hours a day in school. The environment affects student behaviour and considers the physical, psychological and social surroundings—important considerations for the overall health of the child.

The first enrolment during the pilot phase is Renfrew Educational Services—a designated special education school in Alberta who has welcomed families and children with significant disabilities, including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Global Development Delays.

Renfrew provides unique and innovative programs, services, spaces, technology and equipment. Their interest in having spaces that offer mind and movement rooms, places to accommodate their service dog, and the intersection of creating an environment of wellbeing in a built structure, drove Renfrew’s interest in the health of a school building.

“We’re committed to creating optimal school environments for our students,” says Renfrew Educational Services Founder and Executive Director, Janice McTighe. “Part of that is the physical bones of the school, but it extends beyond that. Built Green’s Schools’ program offers flexibility in areas such as occupant wellness, a section devoted to the wellness of future building occupants and how they interact with and enjoy their space.”

Government and industry members are encouraged to participate during this pilot phase. The organization is looking for input from those on the ground. Across all 10 of the country’s provinces and its three territories, climate change is integrated into the curriculum from elementary to high school. This has extended beyond the curriculum to the bricks and mortar of the schools being built with key sustainability concepts in mind, with the opportunity to move the curriculum to active learning and experiential onsite education.

“Built Green is particularly excited to see the schools’ pilot launch, especially given we’re working alongside Renfrew Educational Services to support the incredible work they do,” says Built Green Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Christenson. “For us, its an indirect way to reach the students on the importance of living more sustainably.”