Eagle Springs school first in Texas to get green designation
Atascocita Springs Elementary School in Eagle Springs has become the first school in Texas and the third school in the nation to receive the “CHPS Verified” designation from the Collaborative for High Performing Schools, a national coalition that promotes the design and construction of green and healthy school buildings.
Part of the Humble Independent School District, Atascocita Springs opened in 2010 with solar-powered computers and a host of other features designed to help it consume 23% less energy than a similarly sized building constructed to non-CHPS standards.
Atascocita Springs Elementary received its CHPS Verified designation after a third-party review process ensured that the building met the rigorous design and construction standards included in the Texas CHPS criteria for K-12 schools.
“This recognition is a win-win for Humble ISD, the community and Mother Earth,” said Deborah Yocham, HISD Director of Facility Planning & Construction, speaking at a ceremony dedicating the school’s new CHPS Verified plaque. “We are here to celebrate what we are leaving to our kids and to future generations of kids.”
In addition to conserving resources and providing a healthy environment for students, the 113,000-square-foot building was designed to serve as a learning tool.
For example, floor tiles in the gymnasium are color-coded in multiples of 100 so they can be incorporated into the math curriculum.
Each grade level is located along its own corridor, and every hallway begins with a colorful mural illustrating ecosystems such as a deciduous forest, rainforest and desert. The murals are magnetized so that teachers can use them for interactive lessons.
The ecosystem theme continues through each grade level, with ceiling murals depicting aerial views of each natural system. Carpets and tiles are embedded with math lessons appropriate to each grade level, and central flex rooms overlook outdoors areas where gardens, hopscotch games and other activities are provided.
Signs throughout the building prompt students to “Think Green” by pointing out water-saving low-flow sinks and toilets. Cleaning closets have signs describing the environmentally friendly solutions used to clean the school.
One of the most visible features is the EcoScreen monitor near the entrance, which shows real-time energy usage as well as energy use patterns. Hallways welcome students with warm wood paneling and natural stone. All materials were purchased regionally within a 500-mile radius to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
“High-performance schools help create high-performance students,” said Kayla Webb, marketing director for Newland Communities, the developer of Eagle Springs. “Because healthy living systems are one of our cornerstones as a company, we couldn’t be happier to have this unique and wonderful school in Eagle Springs.”
Atascocita Springs Elementary is one of two Humble ISD schools located inside the 1,360-acre Eagle Springs community, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Now home to approximately 2,900 households, Eagle Springs offers new homes priced from the $120,000s to $500,000s.
