With all of the different kinds of schools to choose from, there are a lot of options for the kind of education kids are receiving these days. Private school is a pricy way to get a head start; public school has gotten a bad rep with hazing and underfunding; and charter schools will keep students busy year round. But there are even more options than just these three, and they are using unique ways to incorporate green solutions to powering and empowering the classroom.

In Inglewood, Calif., the Animo Leadership High School was built with sustainability in mind. Designed by Pugh Scarpa Architects, this green building targets LEED or CHPS certification. The building’s south facade has 650 solar panels installed, which will reduce carbon emissions by over 3 million pounds. Faceted and ribbed screens appear as a facade motif that visually connect the school with the community and modulate light to protect the building from unwanted solar heat gain. Solar panels form the screen system on the longest facade of the building, which are augmented by additional panels on the roof.

The Elleray Preparatory School in the UK features a unique set of forest classrooms that are designed by Robert Gaukroger of Kita Design Company. Constructed in the form of self-sufficient pods, the classrooms are fashioned from recycled materials and generate renewable solar energy for lighting. The units are constructed from ribbed timber frame set upon Douglas fir stilts and then clad in English chestnut shingles.

Finally, The Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City School District, one of the oldest public school districts in Utah, has set up high standards with their green credentials for the others to follow. The $20 million structure maximizes the use of natural light to save on energy. Insulated windows keep away the heat, offering a cool environment for the students to enjoy, underneath an array of solar panels.