CHPS Criteria

CHPS Criteria are building design and construction strategies proven to yield high-performance schools that improve student learning and wellness outcomes.

Overview

CHPS Criteria are used by teams seeking CHPS-Designed or CHPS-Verified recognition for new construction and major modernization projects. The criteria are developed by our National Technical Committee and based on industry best practices with proven techniques that reduce operating costs, achieve higher student performance, increase daily attendance, improve water and resource efficiency, and minimize the environmental impact of school facilities.

Using CHPS Criteria

  • Review the User Guide: For teams just getting started, we recommend reviewing the User Guide which includes step-by-step instructions on utilizing CHPS Criteria to pursue CHPS-Designed or CHPS-Verified projects.

  • Find your Criteria: CHPS Criteria has been developed for project nationally, as well as for projects in specific states based on their unique climates and environmental conditions. These states include California, Texas, Virginia, Hawaii, and Northeast states including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. National and state-tailored criteria is accessible using the accordion menu below.

  • Download scorecards and workbooks: these are resources available to teams as they pursue CHPS-Designed and CHPS-Verified status.

    • Scorecards allow teams pursuing CHPS-Designed projects to track their points and coordinate across their project team (including CHPS support staff)

    • Workbooks allow teams pursuing CHPS-Verified projects to track progress toward individual credits within their projects (such as credits related to plumbing fixtures)

Interpretations, revisions, and corrections

CHPS Criteria are updated on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect best-in-class research, techniques, and technologies and materials. As such, we often issue interpretations, revisions, and/or corrections to CHPS Criteria and associated scorecards and workbooks. Such changes are tracked on our Interpretations, revisions, and corrections page, and members are notified directly through CHPS’s Newsletter.

Downloads

“CHPS provided the evidence-based criteria to define the features needed to deliver buildings that improve student and teacher learning, health and wellness and give schools and districts the flexibility to pursue the certification level that is right for them.” 

— Aaron Jobson, President and CEO of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and CHPS Board Member

Contact us

Get in touch with our team with questions or for more information on CHPS Criteria and the resources available.