LEED for Schools (LEED-S) is similar to LEED for New Construction, with additional criteria for sustainable sites and indoor environmental quality to provide enhanced learning environments for our children. SDC has been at the forefront of developing green building design and operational guidelines for public school systems before LEED-S was even created. Since its inception, SDC has provided LEED, Green Globes, and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) process management and advisory services for dozens of public and independent k-12 schools throughout our region.
Butterfly Ridge Elementary School, Frederick, MD: This 102,158 sf two-story new facility attained LEED for Schools Silver-level certification in June 2019 with the help of SDC, who provided Process Management. Its prototype design was generated and adapted by Grimm + Parker Architects for Frederick County Public Schools, which has implemented green building strategies, green operational policies, and a measurement and verification plan on multiple new buildings.
Collegiate School Sharp Academic Commons, Henrico, VA: The Collegiate School’s new 25,600 sf Academic Commons building designed by Tymoff + Moss Architects includes a library, media center, cafe, and classroom. This project emphasized excellent indoor environmental quality, providing abundant daylight to 90% of classrooms and 75% of other regularly occupied spaces by using light tubes in select locations. SDC’s Process Management helped the project achieve Silver-level certification in March 2013.
Thaddeus Stevens School, Washington, DC: OTJ Architects designed the modernization of the historic Thaddeus Stevens School, which was originally built in 1868 as one of the district's first publicly funded education buildings. The 40,000 sf, four-story educational renovation includes new classrooms, administrative offices, an art lab, a music room, and various activity rooms. SDC provided Process Management services, achieving LEED Gold-Level certification in October 2021.
Highland Springs High School, Henrico, VA: Designed by Moseley Architects, this 231,062 sf, multi-story high school will replace the previous high school that was built in 1950. SDC collaborated with Gulf Seaboard General Contractors, Inc. to provide Documentation Assistance. Highland Springs High School now features four educational wings with classrooms, teaching centers, offices, informal collaboration areas, and specialty labs for science, engineering, and culinary arts. In August 2023, the project achieved LEED-NC Gold-level certification.
The Heights, Arlington, VA: Designed by Leo A. Daly, this 181,621 sf building utilizes the former site of Wilson School in the heart of downtown Rosslyn. The unique vertical design integrates into the existing urban fabric by stacking the school program to decrease the building footprint. It features nearly 19,000 sf of vegetated roofs and landscaped terraces provide outdoor spaces for recreation and teaching opportunities. SDC provided process management services and achieved LEED-S Gold-level certification in May 2020.
Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD: This new 78,000 sf public elementary school designed by Grimm + Parker Architects serves a new development in Howard County, Maryland. The school also includes public spaces grouped together though separated from the instructional classroom spaces, playfields, a cafeteria, and an administration suite. With SDC’s help, the project achieved Gold-level certification in February 2015.
Thomas Edison High School of Technology, Silver Spring, MD: Designed by Grimm + Parker Architects, this 165,740 sf Montgomery County high school offers a variety of specialized programs, including plumbing, auto technology, masonry, electricity, plumbing, restaurant, cosmetology, and criminal justice. Added to mitigate the heat island effect is a 43,573 sf vegetated rooftop. SDC provided Process Management and the project achieved LEED-S Silver-level certification in June 2020.