Public review has opened on a new assessment tool for high performance schools in Hawaii.  The tool, developed by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS), the Hawaii Department of Education, and a Hawaii based advisory committee, called the Hawaii CHPS Criteria (HI-CHPS), creates a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of Hawaii high performance school buildings, schools that can improve student and staff health, improve student performance, increase a sense of community, reduce environmental impact, and reduce operating expenses.  

HI-CHPS will help to ensure that the state’s schools have access to appropriate tools and resources to build high performance schools based on regulations and codes, climate conditions and environmental priorities unique to Hawaii. Hawaii joins a collaborative of eleven other states that have high performance schools programs including California, Colorado, Texas, Washington, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts and many northeastern states.