Chicago Public Schools Becomes First K-12 District in the Nation to Earn Gold Certification from Healthy Green Schools and Colleges

CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has become the first K-12 school district in the nation to earn Gold Certification from the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (HGSC) program, marking a historic milestone in sustainable education facility management. This top-tier designation recognizes CPS for meeting rigorous national standards that promote healthier indoor environments, environmental responsibility, and cost-effective facility operations.

Awarded by Healthy Schools Campaign—a national nonprofit that works at the intersection of education, health and sustainability—the certification underscores CPS’s unwavering commitment to providing clean, safe, and environmentally-sound learning spaces for its more than 325,000 students and 40,000 staff members across 803 buildings.

“This is a proud moment for CPS,” said CPS Chief Operating Officer Charles Mayfield. “Earning the Gold Certification from Healthy Green Schools & Colleges affirms our leadership in building the safe, sustainable, and modern schools our students and staff deserve. It is a testament to our values and to the incredible work of our facilities and custodial teams.”

The HGSC standard was developed with input from facility managers, public health experts, and sustainability leaders across the country. As part of earning the certification, CPS reviewed and fine tuned more than 160 best practices in key areas, including indoor air quality, green cleaning, energy efficiency, water quality monitoring, and custodial staff training. Notably, the program emphasizes practical, budget-conscious improvements that deliver measurable impact without the need for major capital investment.

"Healthy Schools Campaign is proud to award this certification to Chicago Public Schools in recognition of its commitment to protecting the health of students, staff and the environment,” said Healthy Schools Campaign President and CEO Jennifer Tani. “CPS is blazing the trail for other K-12 districts and higher education institutions across the country."

CPS’s Certification Highlights Include:
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management: CPS proactively tests IAQ in 25 percent of its schools each year and publicly shares school-level ventilation reports. Staff also undergo regular training on maintaining healthy air standards.

Water Quality Monitoring: Even after the conclusion of Illinois’s statewide school water testing requirement in 2018, CPS continues to voluntarily test drinking water annually at 25 percent of schools, exceeding state and federal safety thresholds and reporting transparently to families and communities.

Green Cleaning Practices: CPS uses non-toxic, eco-certified cleaning products, including recycled paper supplies, and has optimized delivery systems to reduce waste and ensure schools receive only what they need.

Enhanced Custodial Management: The District has implemented CrowdComfort, a real-time work order tracking system, and strengthened training protocols to support consistent, high-quality custodial services across all campuses.

These efforts align with CPS’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, Success 2029: Together We Rise, which prioritizes equitable, high-quality learning environments and sustainable upgrades to aging school infrastructure. The District’s work to modernize its facilities through environmentally-responsible strategies helps maintain buildings that are, on average, more than 85 years old.

Friday’s certification event was hosted at a newer CPS building, Englewood STEM High School, a LEED Silver-certified facility on the South Side, which features energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and innovative design. The school represents CPS’s broader vision to expand green infrastructure citywide.

“Healthy schools are the foundation for student success,” added Mayfield. “This certification not only validates the work we’ve done—it challenges us to keep raising the bar for what Chicago students, families, and educators can expect from their public schools.”

As part of its certification, CPS will be recognized on the HGSC website, granted use of the HGSC certification mark, and continue to serve as a national model for sustainable and student-centered school operations.

The HGSC certification process requires CPS to implement comprehensive facility management practices, proactive indoor air quality management, HVAC and electrical system maintenance, water quality monitoring, and integrated pest management. The program also calls for staff training, green product procurement, and transparent operations.

“The District’s partnership with Healthy Green Schools & Colleges is vital, and we look forward to building on it for years to come,” said CPS Facilities Chief Ivan Hansen. “This certification directly supports our students’ ability to learn by improving the environments where they study every day.”

For more information regarding District facilities, visit the CPS website: https://www.cps.edu/about/departments/facilities-department/.