Across the United States, students are returning to the classrooms amid rising temperatures and more frequent extreme heat events due to climate change. Extreme heat is disrupting learning, straining school infrastructure, and increasing health risks for students and staff. According to analysis from UndauntedK12, more than 9 million students across 10,000 schools experienced school closures or academic disruptions due to extreme heat and weather-related impacts during the 2024-2025 school year. Extreme heat can also affect learning, health, and safety, particularly for low-income students and students of color. The Center for American Progress reports that when temperatures reach 90ºF absentee rates increase by 16 percent, and test scores can drop by nearly 11 percent. Outdated and inefficient heating and cooling systems can further exacerbate these impacts. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report found that 41 percent of public schools lack adequate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
As schools adapt to rising temperatures and more frequent extreme heat events, investing in solutions that improve cooling, reduce energy costs, and increase building efficiency is increasingly important. These can include high-efficiency HVAC upgrades, heat pump installations, solar energy systems, building envelope improvements, energy management and efficiency upgrades. States offer a number of funding opportunities to support these efforts, which we track weekly on Buildings Hub.
Buildings Hub will launch a new and improved Requests and Outcomes Dashboard later this month, providing information on funding opportunities and awards supporting projects like these. Stay tuned for more information. Below are a few examples of how states are supporting efficient cooling for schools.
Minnesota: Solar for Schools Program
Administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources, the Solar for Schools grant program supports the installation of solar energy systems in Minnesota schools and the integration of renewable energy use into the school curriculum. Since its launch in 2022, the program has awarded grants to 153 Minnesota schools. Applications for Round 2 are currently open, with the Notice of Intent due September 11, 2026, and full grant applications due January 11, 2027.
Massachusetts: Regional School District Decarbonization Grant Program
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Regional School District Decarbonization Grant Program aims to help regional school districts (RSDs) replace old fossil fuel equipment with high-efficiency electric alternatives. The program offers $2 million in total funding, with awards of up to $250,000 per applicant for projects such as space conditioning systems, efficient electric water heating, battery-powered facilities maintenance equipment, and commercial kitchen equipment. Applications are due March 5, 2027.
Maryland: Decarbonizing Public Schools Program
This program helps local education agencies (LEAs) develop capacity and advance strategies for promoting clean and efficient energy use within their portfolio of current and future K-12 schools and support facilities. The Maryland Energy Administration recently awarded more than $33 million across 16 LEAs for the fiscal year 2026 program. The funding went to projects focused on energy efficiency upgrades, electrification, solar energy installations, and long-term planning for net-zero-energy schools.
New York: Clean Green Schools Initiative
The Clean Green School Initiative provides funding for New York public schools serving grades pre-K through 12 to decarbonize their building portfolios, such as comprehensive retrofits, electrification readiness projects, and conversion of central heating and cooling plants to heat pumps. In April 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $100 million in funding through the latest program round. Applications closed August 18, 2026.
As climate impacts intensify, schools face growing challenges in maintaining safe and effective learning environments. Investments in building electrification, modern HVAC systems, solar power, and energy efficiency can help schools improve student health and academic outcomes while reducing long-term operating costs.
