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The number of LEED-certified schools hit 2,000 in 2017 and the Class of 2017 is making an impact, according to an article and slide show on the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) website.

The USGBC’s Center for Green Schools monitors how K–12 schools use or purchase USGBC resources or products to see how well the benefits of green building are reaching schools and school districts. For instance, the 2,000th LEED-certified school, the Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, N. M., has on-site renewable energy, uses low-emitting materials and is reducing water use.

As the 2,000 mark is reached, the following are among the trends tracked by the USGBC:

• Public schools make up the vast majority of LEED certification commitments that represent more than $30 billion in investment. They also cover a total of 160 million square feet of education space, approximately 2 percent of the total square footage of all U.S. public schools.

• The school using LEED are geographically diverse. The top six states for LEED in schools are Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland and Florida.

• Large districts are taking the lead in investing. Over the last couple of years, Houston Independent School District and Washington, D.C. Public Schools have risen in numbers quickly. They’ve overtaken Albuquerque Public Schools and Chicago Public Schools.

• Some states distribute funding to assist smaller districts. More than 300 schools have been certified in Ohio. The certified schools in Ohio are distributed around the state, demonstrating a commitment to assist smaller school districts with funds.

Click here for more information and photos of LEED-certified schools.