Center for Green Schools Announces 2026-2027 School Air Quality Fellowship Cohort

The U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools has picked 53 school system leaders from 25 states to take part in a nine-month program aimed at improving indoor air quality in public schools. Running from September 2026 through May 2027, the School Air Quality Fellowship will help these facilities and sustainability staff build district-wide plans for cleaner air and more energy-efficient buildings. The districts involved serve more than 2 million students combined, ranging from small rural systems to large ones like the School District of Philadelphia.

The program comes as schools face growing pressure from wildfire smoke, respiratory illness concerns, and new state rules on indoor air quality. Fellows will use a free toolkit, developed with the American Lung Association and other partners, to create air quality plans tailored to their districts while also managing energy costs. They'll get training, technical support, a paid professional credential, and travel support to attend a national conference in Austin, Texas, in 2027.

For homeowners, this isn't a program you can apply for or a rebate you can claim. But if you have kids in public school, or live in one of the districts listed, it signals that your local school system may be working on ventilation, filtration, or HVAC upgrades in the coming school year. Better indoor air management in schools can also extend the life of heating and cooling equipment and reduce absenteeism tied to poor air quality, though any direct changes would depend on your specific district's plans.