The summer of 2024 has officially become the hottest on record, surpassing the extreme heat of 2023 and continuing the alarming trend of rising global temperatures. As schools across the nation grapple with these unprecedented conditions, district leadership faces the pressing challenge of ensuring that students remain safe and able to learn in increasingly hot environments.

With increasingly extreme heat anticipated in the years ahead, districts must invest in immediate and long-term cooling strategies. Now is the time to adopt practical and sustainable solutions that safeguard the well-being of students and staff alike.

The Problem: Extreme Heat’s Impact on Schools

High temperatures directly affect student performance and well-being. Studies show that heat reduces cognitive function, making it difficult for students to focus and learn effectively. Extreme heat also puts students at risk for heat-related illnesses, especially those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or other respiratory issues.

Outdoor spaces, where students play or participate in physical activities, become hazardous when temperatures rise as asphalt and other surfaces heat up dramatically. This can lead to injuries, heat exhaustion, or worse. Employing comprehensive strategies to mitigate these risks in both indoor and outdoor environments is urgent.

Key Indoor Cooling Solutions

As classrooms are the core of the learning environment, maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures is a top priority. School districts must explore practical, cost-effective solutions to protect students from rising indoor temperatures.

1. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

One of the most effective steps districts can take is investing in modern HVAC systems, designed to regulate temperatures efficiently. These systems can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related disruptions, providing consistent indoor comfort and improving air quality in the process. Given the long-term energy savings, districts should explore federal or state funding opportunities to offset initial installation costs.

2. Implement Reflective Roofing Materials

School roofs can absorb large amounts of heat, significantly increasing internal temperatures. Conventional roofs can reach temperatures of 150 degrees or more on a sunny summer afternoon. A reflective roof can stay 50 degrees cooler under the same conditions. Installing reflective roofing materials, also known as cool roofs, helps mitigate rising temperatures by reflecting sunlight rather than absorbing it. Cool roofs offer a relatively low-maintenance solution that delivers long-term benefits for school districts looking to reduce energy costs and maintain cooler buildings.

3. Install Solar Control Window Films

Classroom windows are another significant source of heat gain. In cooling seasons, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows becomes heat. Installing energy-efficient window coverings such as solar control window films can help reduce the amount of sun and heat entering classrooms without sacrificing natural light. This cost-effective solution reduces reliance on air conditioning and makes classrooms more comfortable for students and staff.

4. Consider Ceiling Fans and Portable Air Conditioning Units

Stop-gap solutions like ceiling fans and portable air conditioning units are viable options for schools with limited budgets that cannot afford immediate HVAC upgrades. Ceiling fans, while they don’t cool the air directly, improve air circulation, making rooms feel cooler by creating a wind-chill effect. This can help reduce the need for central air conditioning, especially when paired with higher thermostat settings, saving energy and costs.

Portable air conditioners are a flexible, lower-cost alternative to centralized cooling systems. Portable AC units offer targeted cooling relief in specific areas like classrooms or offices where central air conditioning may be insufficient or non-existent. They’re especially useful for addressing immediate cooling needs in individual spaces without requiring significant installation costs​.

Key Outdoor Cooling Solutions

Outdoor spaces are critical for student physical activity and recreation, but heat-absorbing surfaces and direct sun exposure can make these areas dangerously hot. Districts must implement creative cooling solutions to ensure that students can continue to use outdoor spaces safely.

1. Add Shaded Play Areas

Providing shade is one of the most straightforward and effective solutions for cooling outdoor spaces. By installing shade structures such as canopies, shade sails, or pergolas, schools can significantly reduce exposure to direct sunlight, making outdoor areas like playgrounds, seating areas, and athletic fields safer during peak heat hours. These structures lower the temperature in shaded areas and can reduce temperatures by up to 25 degrees, providing a comfortable environment for students and staff to enjoy outdoor activities.

Options like commercial-grade shade sails and canopies offer UV protection, blocking up to 95% of harmful rays while also being durable enough to withstand various weather conditions. These structures come in varying designs, including customizable options, allowing schools to tailor them to their specific needs and aesthetic preferences, making them a practical, cost-effective, and crucial solution for promoting student safety in increasingly hot climates.

2. Install Heat-Resistant Surfaces

Traditional playground surfaces like asphalt or dark-colored rubber can become dangerously hot during high temperatures, posing safety risks for children. Replacing these materials with heat-resistant alternatives, such as lighter-colored rubber or artificial turf, can help mitigate the issue. Light-colored rubber surfaces reflect more sunlight, reducing heat absorption and providing a cooler play environment. Artificial turf, especially varieties designed for playgrounds, offers a durable, low-maintenance option that stays cooler than conventional dark rubber and supports safer outdoor activities during warmer days​. Cooler surfaces improve safety and allow outdoor activities and play to continue comfortably, even in extreme heat.

3. Introduce Misting Systems

Misting systems, which cool the air through evaporating water, can provide a quick and effective solution for cooling outdoor areas. School districts can explore the installation of these systems in high-traffic zones such as playgrounds, sports fields, or outdoor eating areas. With proper maintenance, misting systems can offer relief from the heat while allowing outdoor activities to proceed safely.

4. Create Green Spaces

Creating green spaces in schoolyards offers multiple benefits, including natural cooling through the process of transpiration from trees and plants, which can significantly lower temperatures. This cooling effect, combined with the shade provided by trees, creates a safer and more comfortable outdoor environment for students, even during hot days. Besides the climate benefits, green spaces also enhance the aesthetic appeal of schoolyards and support biodiversity, which helps create a more sustainable environment. By incorporating trees, grass, and other plantings, schools can combat rising temperatures and foster a more engaging and eco-friendly space for learning and recreation.

Preparing for a Hotter Future

As rising temperatures become the new normal, school districts must prioritize the health and safety of their students by investing in long-term cooling strategies. The upfront costs of HVAC upgrades, reflective roofs, or shaded playgrounds may seem high, but these investments will save money over time through lower energy bills and reduced heat-related health risks.

Districts should actively seek grants and federal funding opportunities designed to support schools in making energy-efficient and climate-resilient improvements. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offer funding and technical support for schools looking to implement energy-saving measures.

Districts must act quickly to prevent learning disruptions and protect student health as climate change accelerates. By investing in modern cooling solutions and adapting school infrastructure, school districts can create an environment where students can thrive, regardless of the outside temperature.

Extreme heat poses a serious challenge to school districts nationwide, but with thoughtful leadership and strategic investment, districts can adapt to these new conditions. By upgrading indoor cooling systems and reimagining outdoor spaces, schools can ensure the safety and comfort of students while reducing energy costs and improving the overall learning environment.

This article is based in part on the following resources:

1. National Center for Education Statistics. School Building Condition Report
2. Heat Island Effects
3. Climate and Health
4. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Standards for Schools

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan is an author and certified autism resource specialist with a background in teaching. Originally from the Netherlands, her work has taken her around the world, where she helped set up classrooms and children’s libraries in under-resourced areas in Asia and the Middle East. In 2006, she moved to the United States to care for her infant grandson, Logan, who was later diagnosed as autistic. This personal experience deepened her commitment to autism advocacy and education. Currently, Ymkje lives in California with her 17-year-old grandson and uses her expertise to lead autism training workshops. She works with early childhood educators, teachers, parents, and caregivers, offering practical guidance on supporting autistic individuals.