Introduction

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently became the first school district in the nation to earn gold certification, the highest level, in the Healthy Green Schools and College (HGSC) Program. The program recognizes schools making real progress toward healthier, more sustainable environments.  

As a long-time partner to CPS, Clarity played a key role in helping the district reach this milestone. We supported the effort by contributing to the data, processes, and maintenance strategies needed to meet the HGSC standards, helping to position CPS as a national leader in sustainable school operations. 

What is HGSC?

The Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (HGSC) Program offers a practical framework to help school facility leaders create healthier, more sustainable learning environments while staying within budget. Developed in collaboration with experts in school facility management, the program focuses on several key areas, including:

  • Cleaning and Disinfecting
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Sustainable Purchasing
  • HVAC and Electric Maintenance
  • Indoor Air Quality Testing and Monitoring
  • Training and Communications

The HGSC Standard encourages strong facility management practices by improving indoor air quality and reducing environmental impact through evidence-based operations and maintenance. It is designed to support schools at any stage of their sustainability efforts and helps facility teams take meaningful steps that improve student and staff health without adding to operational costs. 

The Challenge for Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools manages one of the largest collections of aging school buildings in the country. Before this project, key facility information was scattered across different systems and paper records, making it hard to: 

  • Document HVAC, cleaning, and pest-management practices for HGSC audits.
  • Prove continuous improvement in IAQ and energy performance.
  • Address staff and community concerns with objective data.

To meet the HGSC program’s high standards, CPS needed to show consistent processes and full transparency across the district. The framework requires clear documentation in areas like indoor air quality, sustainable purchasing, integrated pest management, training, and communication.

Our Approach

Clarity works with the team that oversees environment settings across the district to support continuous monitoring of indoor air quality and quickly detect any issues. Until now, the district relied on two visits per year from industrial hygienists, which only provided a limited snapshot of conditions. 

With the addition of HALO sensors, the team now has access to real-time, continuous data. These sensors have been installed in key areas such as administrative offices, gymnasiums, libraries, lunch and multipurpose rooms, and classrooms. 

We also introduced a service from Immersion Data Solutions that uses Matterport cameras to capture 3D images of school facilities. Together, these technologies allow the team to respond more quickly and effectively when concerns arise. 

 Work-stream  Key Actions
Asset-Management Modernization
  • Developed a process to ensure proper tracking of assets from acquire to retire.
  • Mapped facility assets and preventive-maintenance schedules into a unified CMMS/EAM platform.
BAS Expansion & Data Integration
  • Supported CPS in upgrading and implementation of new BAS systems to enterprise-level platforms, increasing the accessibility and usability of facilities data to enable informed, real-time operational decisions.
  • Standardized data across multiple BAS platforms, integrating it into a centralized enterprise reporting tool to support performance tracking and district-wide visibility.
IAQ Program & HALO Sensor Roll-out
  • Managed a 12-building pilot, HALO Smart Sensor devices for continuous CO₂, PM₂.₅, VOC, and humidity monitoring.
Change Management & Training
  • Developed SOPs for building engineers covering inspection, data review, and corrective actions.
  • Created reporting tools to translate work order, sensor, and BAS data into HGSC scorecard metrics.

Results & Impact

When an indoor-air-quality alert recently appeared on our dashboard, we paired the real-time data with an Immersion Data Solutions (IDS) 3D scan and pinpointed the problem almost immediately. Moments like this highlight the day-to-day benefits of continuous monitoring, such as:

  • Proactive Management of IAQ – Increases health & safety of building occupants and reduces risk to CPS.
  • Space Efficiency Management – Enables monitoring and proactive management of space efficiency in District schools, helping to reduce maintenance costs (cleaning, energy use, etc.)
  • Emergency Situation Data – Provides means for CPS to have data that can be useful prior to and post emergency situations (fire, intruders, etc.)

Earning HGSC Gold shows that CPS has woven these practices into its everyday operations. By uniting asset managements, automation, and advanced IAQ monitoring, the district has created a model that other large urban systems can follow to build healthier, greener schools. 

“They are really the leaders in so many districts across the country,” said Sara Porter, Vice President of External Affairs at Healthy Schools Campaign and Director of the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Program, in a Chicago Sun Times article about the certification. She hopes CPS’s example will inspire other districts to do the same.

Conclusion

CPS’s achievement demonstrates what’s possible when forward-thinking leadership is supported by the right tools, data, and longer-term strategy. At Clarity, we’re proud to help make that vision a reality, not just for CPS but for any organization looking to improve operations, enhance transparency, and build healthier spaces for the people they serve. 

Whether you’re managing a large urban district or just starting to explore sustainability goals, Clarity brings the expertise, technology, and collaborative mindset to help you get there. Let’s build something better, together. 

 

 

About Clarity Partners

Clarity Partners is a Chicago-based, full-service management and information technology consulting firm that specializes in delivering comprehensive solutions to complex public sector and non-profit challenges. We provide management consulting, enterprise performance management, application development, website design and development, cloud solutions, project management, and IT staffing services to a diverse mix of businesses across the full spectrum of industries.