Christian school in Colorado seeks LEED certification

Valor Christian High School, a private institution that opened this fall in Highlands Ranch, Colo., is seeking LEED gold certification for the design and construction of its 35-acre campus. For the school's first year, ninth and 10th graders are enrolled. Ultimately, the campus will be able to accommodate 1,200 students in 9th through 12th grades.
Among the sustainable features incorporated into the design of the school: 20 percent of the materials used in the buildings are of recycled content; 20 percent of the materials used are from sources within 500 miles of the campus; 77 percent of the waste from construction was recycled. Daylight sensors dim artificial lights when enough natural light is present. Carbon dioxide monitors help the school's ventilation systems provide the needed amounts of fresh air.
Water-efficient landscaping is expected to reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by 50 percent. Synthetic turf on athletic fields will conserve about 5.5 millions gallons of water. The school has set aside preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles and for car poolers. The campus also has bicycle storage, showers and changing rooms for those who pedal to the school.
School officials say Valor Christian is in line to become the first private school in Colorado to receive LEED certification. The architect is Slaterpaull Architects, and the builder is Saunders Construction.

To read more about the school, click here.