The Center for Green Schools is hosting three in-person summits for K–12 staff throughout the country in 2024. These 1.5-day summits are free to attend and will bring together school district staff for a deep dive into priority topics through peer learning and connection, insights from experts, the latest resources, and a focus on action planning. The summits will provide professional development specifically targeted toward K–12 staff working at the district/system level in positions aligned with our three peer learning networks:

Green School Design and Construction Leaders Network (new!): This network connects school system staff working on capital planning and capital projects to share best practices.
School Sustainability Leaders Network: Since 2011, this network has convened a growing group of professionals focused on implementing sustainability goals, improving resource conservation and advancing student action.
School Air Quality Leadership Network: Launched in 2022, this network is targeted toward K–12 staff working to implement indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental health best practices.

In addition to these regional in-person events, network participants are invited to join regular informal community conversations, attend national webinars, apply for annual fellowship programs and attend the annual Green Schools Conference and School District Leadership Summit.

These in-person events are open to school district staff registrants and free to attend. A limited supply of travel stipends are available and can be requested when registering.

Schools Clean Energy and IAQ Summit

When and where is it? This summit will be held June 11–12 in Denver, Colorado.

Who is it for? This summit is targeted toward school system staff who want to learn more about implementing energy efficiency and decarbonization plans with IAQ in mind.

Why attend? As guidance around IAQ and ventilation in schools continues to change and the need for efficient and climate-ready schools grows, school system staff are often left wondering how to prioritize and plan around these competing needs. This training, cohosted with the U.S. Department of Energy's Efficient and Healthy Schools program, will focus on developing action plans for reducing energy use and carbon emissions with IAQ in mind. This event will also include a recognition ceremony for this year’s honorees of the Efficient and Healthy Schools program.

School Resiliency Summit

When and where is it? This summit will be held Sept. 10–11 in Austin, Texas.

Who is it for? This summit is targeted toward school system staff interested in building readiness planning and schools serving as community resilience hubs.

Why attend? School systems are faced with increasing challenges—from responding to extreme weather events such as heat, flooding and wildfires to infection outbreaks—and need to provide safe and healthy learning environments for students and staff. This training is designed to connect K–12 school district staff with peers, experts and key resources for assessing capacity to respond in the face of climate impacts and implementing strategies for schools to serve as resilience hubs within their communities.

Green Schools Specifications Writing Workshop

When and where is it? This workshop will be held Dec. 9–10 in Washington, D.C.

Who is it for? This workshop is targeted toward school system staff working within capital planning, facilities and procurement departments interested in updating their school construction specifications and healthy materials selection.

Why attend? School buildings’ impact on student and staff health and achievement has been underscored by over a decade of research, and the selection of healthy and green materials is an important leverage point to create healthy, environmentally responsible and inspiring learning spaces. In this training, school staff will update parts of their own districts' typical construction specifications, learning how to incorporate the most up-to-date best practices for climate resilience, active design, efficiency and health.

Learn more and register to attend

Join the Center for Green Schools at an in-person summit in 2024