Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS): The Process of Mainstreaming Efficiency in Action and the Evolution of CHPS

Haile Bucaneg, California Energy Commission

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Abstract

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) represents a successful example of mainstreaming a high performance building criteria throughout the California school system. CHPS is currently working to mainstream high performance building criteria on a national level.

The CHPS organization began in 1999, when the California Energy Commission called together the investor owned utilities to discuss ways to improve the performance of California's schools. Out of this partnership, CHPS grew to include a diverse range of government, utility, school districts, design professionals, and non-profit organizations committed to promoting the development of high performance schools. To meet this goal CHPS developed new school construction and major modernization guidelines represented in Best Practices Manuals, and the CHPS Criteria. The CHPS Criteria defines high performance attributes in the categories of energy, water, sustainable sites, materials, indoor environmental quality, and policy and operations.

Adoption of the CHPS Criteria in California schools has shown remarkable growth. Initially, several demonstration schools were built to assess benefits of using the CHPS Criteria. These projects led to over 100 schools built to or planned using the CHPS Criteria in California. Additionally, 27 school districts have adopted district wide resolutions requiring all future school buildings utilize the CHPS Criteria. Participating districts include Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the country.

Benefits of the CHPS Criteria are reaching across state borders. Currently seven states have adopted the CHPS Criteria, or variations tailored for regional needs. Momentum continues to build with the development of a National CHPS organization.