IAQ Hub / Why IAQ Matters

Healthy Air. Healthy Schools.

It’s important for school district staff to understand how indoor air quality can support healthier students and staff, improve academic performance, and help build thriving school communities.

Build Your IAQ Plan Explore the resource library

Ella Ochoa Middle School | LEED Gold | Landover Hills, Maryland | Photo: Sam Kittner Photography

Research shows clear links between indoor air quality and student health, learning, and school performance.

U.S. schools don't have the fresh air kids need. 80% of classrooms are under-ventilated.¹

In a classroom of 30 kids, an average of 3 have asthma.²

41% of districts need HVAC updates in at least half of their schools.³

The Solution is Better Indoor Air

13% better cognitive development in students attending schools with better indoor air.⁴

2.5 fewer missed days per student with more fresh air.⁵

30% reduction in childhood asthma symptoms could be achieved by improving HVAC filtration.⁶

Cleaner indoor air can lead to a 15% gain in test scores.⁷

Research shows clear links between indoor air quality and student health, learning, and school performance.

Health & wellbeing

Fewer asthma triggers, reduced illness-related absences, and better day-to-day wellbeing.

Healthier students and staff

Fewer sick days and less disruption

A healthier, more comfortable environment

Better learning environments

More comfortable classrooms support concentration, academic performance, and participation.

Better concentration, attention, and memory

Higher test scores and improved learning

Stronger attendance-based funding potential

Stronger, more efficient schools

Improve school operations by reducing energy costs, preventing costly repairs, and addressing maintenance needs.

Lower energy use and operating costs

Fewer repairs and less deferred maintenance

Longer-lasting building infrastructure

Common challenges

Improving indoor air quality is achievable, but schools often face practical, financial, and operational barriers. Explore and click on the different challenges below to find solutions and practical guidance for the IAQ issues schools face most.

Are you a parent, student or teacher interested in getting involved? Learn what you can do here →

School Air Quality Fellowship

The Center for Green Schools is excited to host the 2026–2027 School Air Quality Fellowship, supporting 52 K–12 public school district facilities leaders. Fellows receive practical training plus individualized, district-specific coaching to help turn IAQ and energy goals into an implementable plan alongside a trusted network of peer districts and technical experts.

Interested in the next cohort?

The 2027–2028 application will open in Spring 2027. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

IAQ Management Plan Toolkit

Turn awareness into action with this step-by-step toolkit. Help your school district develop, implement, and sustain an effective IAQ program.

Get the toolkit →

School IAQ Fact Sheet Series

Explore the many issues that affect indoor air quality in schools, including ventilation, filtration, mold, wildfire smoke, and other important topics.

Browse the series →

Clean Air in Schools Course

Build a strong foundation in school indoor air quality. Explains why IAQ matters, highlights common risks, and provides practical strategies.

Explore the course →

Deng, S., Zou, B., & Lau, J. (2021). The adverse associations of classrooms’ indoor air quality and thermal comfort conditions on students’ illness-related absenteeism between heating and non-heating seasons—A pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1500. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041500
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 13). Managing asthma in schools. https://www.cdc.gov/school-health-conditions/chronic/asthma.html
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2020). K–12 education: School districts frequently identified multiple building systems needing updates or replacement (GAO-20-494). https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-494
Sunyer, J., Esnaola, M., Alvarez-Pedrerol, M., Forns, J., Rivas, I., López-Vicente, M., Suades-González, E., Foraster, M., Garcia-Esteban, R., Basagaña, X., Viana, M., Cirach, M., Moreno, T., Alastuey, A., Sebastian-Galles, N., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., & Querol, X. (2015). Association between traffic-related air pollution in schools and cognitive development in primary school children: A prospective cohort study. PLOS Medicine, 12(3), e1001792. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001792
Wargocki, P., Porras-Salazar, J. A., Contreras-Espinoza, S., & Bahnfleth, W. P. (2020). The relationships between classroom air quality and children's performance in school. Building and Environment, 173, Article 106749. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132320301074
- Finding calculation: Ventilation increase from 2 L/s to 8 L/s per person = 1.5% attendance increase x 180 school days = 2.7 fewer missed school days per student per year.
Martenies, S. E., & Batterman, S. A. (2019). Effectiveness of using enhanced filters in schools and homes to reduce indoor exposures to PM2.5 from outdoor sources and subsequent health benefits for children with asthma. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(13), 7465–7476. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b02053
Shaughnessy, R. J., Haverinen-Shaughnessy, U., Nevalainen, A., & Moschandreas, D. (2006). A preliminary study on the association between ventilation rates in classrooms and student performance. Indoor Air, 16(6), 465–468. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2006.00440.x