William H. Farquhar Middle School, Olney, MD. Photo credit: Patrick Ross
School Health Research Library
We have curated a library of peer-reviewed scientific studies from around the world published since 2016, focusing on the school built environment and occupant health and performance. This research builds on the 2017 Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success report released by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that synthesizes foundational research about school indoor environmental quality impacts on students and staff.
To help translate this research into action in schools, we have compiled School Health Research Highlights to help school staff and leaders access key findings and actionable strategies on priority topics.
Displaying 11 - 20 of 585 | Export entire research library
Association of School Infrastructure on Health and Achievement Among Children With Asthma
Wu, Tianshi David
Retrospective cohort using medical, academic, and facilities data linked for 6558 children with asthma in a mid-Atlantic US district; poor infrastructure linked to more asthma hospitalizations, absenteeism, and lower test scores. Investment in…
Keywords: Absenteeism, Asthma, Exacerbations, Medicaid, School infrastructure
Advancing a multidisciplinary research framework on school environment, occupant health, and performance
Magzamen, Sheryl
Editorial reviews fragmented evidence linking indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and school climate to student health and achievement. Proposes integrated framework across physical and psychosocial domains to guide policy and interdisciplinary…
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A need for evidence-based and multidisciplinary research to study the effects of the interaction of school environmental conditions on student achievement
Lau, Josephine
Editorial calls for research linking indoor air quality, lighting, thermal and acoustic factors to student outcomes. Cites methodological gaps and lack of integrated environmental assessments in school settings. Urges multidisciplinary approaches…
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Building Features in Schools That Influence Academic Performance
Salary, Sogol
Mixed methods study developed school building feature inventory via literature review, CAB input, and stakeholder surveys. Identifies features believed to affect student achievement and guides future renovation assessments. Emphasizes research-…
Keywords: School building features, Student performance, School facilities, School architecture
Environmental Justice and Green Schools—Assessing Students and Communities’ Access to Green Schools
Zhao, Shuang
National dataset and logit models assessed green school access by race, income, and school type. Minority and low-income areas more likely to receive green schools. Results challenge assumptions about environmental injustice in new school siting.
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The effect of increased classroom ventilation rate indicated by reduced CO2 concentration on the performance of schoolwork by children
Peterson, S.
Double-blind crossover study in Danish schools measured how increased ventilation (lower CO₂) affects test performance in 10–12 y.o. students. Higher air supply improved all four academic tests. Supports policies enhancing classroom air quality to…
Keywords: Indoor environment, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Children, Performance
School building condition, social climate, student attendance and academic achievement: A mediation model
Maxwell, Lorraine E.
Data from 236 NYC middle schools were analyzed to test how building condition affects academic achievement via social climate and attendance. Results suggest facility quality indirectly impacts performance, supporting capital investment.
Keywords: Academic achievement, School building condition, School social climate, Middle school students
Indoor air quality in inner-city schools and its associations with building characteristics and environmental factors
Majd, Ehsan
PM2.5, NO2, and CO were measured in 16 urban U.S. schools across seasons. Indoor concentrations often exceeded guidelines. Building defects and nearby pollution sources were linked to poor IAQ. Results support school facility improvements.
Keywords: Indoor air quality, Exposure, Building characteristics, Environmental factors
Children exposure to indoor ultrafine particles in urban and rural school environments
Rufo, João Cavaleiro
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) were measured in 8 Portuguese primary schools. Urban classrooms had nearly double the UFP counts of rural ones. Source factors included traffic proximity and materials. Results support building design to reduce UFP…
Keywords: Ultrafine particles, Primary schools, Indoor air, Children exposure, Traffic-related UFP, Rural environment
Identifying the K-12 classrooms' indoor air quality factors that affect student academic performance
Kabirikopaei, Adel
IAQ factors and student test scores were analyzed in 220 U.S. classrooms across seasons. Fine particles, ozone, CO, and ventilation type were linked to academic outcomes. Findings support HVAC upgrades for better learning environments.
Keywords: Indoor air quality, Academic performance, Classrooms, Student demographics