Monterey Ridge Elementary School is Poway Unified School District’s first solar-powered school.

While green building practices are gradually gaining acceptance in residential and commercial construction, incorporating smart and sustainable building practices in educational facilities is in full swing.

Nearly a dozen school projects have received the Collaborative of High Performance Schools designation in San Diego since the program began in 2000.

The CHPS designation, given by the nonprofit organization of the same name whose goal is the raise the standards for school facilities, is the benchmark for energy efficient and environmentally friendly design for educational buildings in the state.

More than a third of all CHPS-designated schools are located in the county and more are expected to file for the high-performance designation this year.

This growing level of commitment is not a surprise to Bob Nicholson, senior director of facilities planning services for the San Diego County Office of Education.

Nicholson, who also serves as a board member of CHPS, said the county office joined forces with the high-performance program several years ago in an effort to improve performance and long-term cost savings for school districts.

“We committed to being a part of CHPS so we could have a voice at the table on behalf of the 43 school districts in the county,” he said. “We need to make our voice heard so the energy companies are aware of our concerns and our efforts on behalf of the students in this county.”

CHPS membership is comprised of utility and energy providers; nonprofit organizations, educational institutions; design, construction and maintenance service providers; and governmental agencies.

The CHPS designation has been given to recently completed Cajon Valley Middle School in El Cajon, Cherokee Point Elementary School in City Heights, Escondido Charter High School, Herbert Ibarra Elementary School in the Euclid area, and Monterey Ridge Elementary School in Poway. Also receiving this honor are several schools under construction or in the planning stage, including Del Norte High School in 4S Ranch, Del Sur Elementary near Poway, Lincoln High School in the Chollas View neighborhood of San Diego, San Elijo Elementary School in San Marcos and San Marcos Elementary School.

“I would not single out any one of them because each one is exemplary of the CHPS program,” said Nicholson.

While it is hard to project realized savings generated from green features for several reasons, including fluctuating oil prices, smart features definitely reduce energy consumption, according to Nicholson.

“The fact that green building is reducing our dependence on foreign oil … is going to have a significant impact in terms of the amount of money it costs to maintain those buildings over the course of their lives,” he said.

Financial Incentives