Key Resources for Modernizing School Facilities
For decades, public school infrastructure has been critically underfunded. The 2025 State of our Schools report shows a $90 billion annual gap between what districts need to spend to maintain safe, healthy learning environments, and what is actually spent. Extreme weather and rising operating costs are widening this gap and putting additional strain on our education system.
Fortunately, leaders across the country are advancing cost-effective solutions to modernize schools and ensure they are safe, healthy, and climate-resilient.
Resources to help every school district leader and decision-maker make progress in their communities:
School District Energy Efficient Indoor Air Quality Management Plan Toolkit
(Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council)
The School District Energy Efficient Indoor Air Quality Management Plan Toolkit offers planning templates and sample language to help develop and implement Energy Efficient IAQ management plans.
HVAC Choices for Student Health and Learning (RMI and UndauntedK12)
HVAC Choices for Student Health and Learning introduces the core principles of cost-effective, modern HVAC solutions for healthy indoor environments and improved student outcomes.
Decarbonization Roadmap Guide (New Buildings Institute)
The Decarbonization Roadmap Guide offers a step-by-step framework and customizable templates for designing, building, and operating healthy, cost-effective, zero-carbon schools in your community.
Resilience and Adaptation Toolkit
(California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, Ten Strands, UndauntedK12)
The Resilience and Adaptation Toolkit outlines key actions district leaders can take to adapt school buildings and grounds to be more resilient to the impacts of extreme weather and a changing climate.
Schoolyard Forest System Resource Library (Green Schoolyards America)
The Schoolyard Forest System Resource Library offers a practical set of tools for school districts working to increase tree canopy on school grounds to shade and protect students from extreme heat and rising temperatures.
School Decarbonization Financing and Funding Cheat Sheet
(Building Power Resource Center)
Need to wrap your head around how to pay for school modernization projects? Start with this Financing and Funding Cheat Sheet that lays out the main approaches. This work can guide you as you explore specific opportunities in your region.
Energy Tax Credits for Schools Hub (UndauntedK12)
Districts can claim energy tax credits to defray the cost of installing clean energy technologies including ground-source heat pumps. These uncapped, noncompetitive funds are one of the few opportunities to leverage federal funds in improving school infrastructure. Our Energy Tax Credits for Schools Hub offers critical resources to help districts make the most of this opportunity.
Addressing the challenges our schools face isn't simple, but with these tools from trusted experts and organizations, you can make informed decisions and take meaningful steps toward modern, healthy, climate-resilient schools.
Take action today to make sure your community leaders and decision makers are aware of these resources:
Download and share the resources most relevant to your upcoming projects.
Explore more tools at Undaunted’s K-12 Climate Action Solutions Center and the National Center for School Infrastructure’s Resource Hub.
Forward this page to anyone in your network influencing school facilities and encourage them to sign up for our newsletter to receive future updates and tools.
Email info@undauntedk12.org if you have questions or need support.
