Ohio’s Only Episcopal School
Designed to be Most Energy-Efficient School in the Midwest
Bethany School, a K-8 Episcopal school located in Glendale, Ohio, has been awarded LEED® Platinum for its two academic buildings. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green building. LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions, and healthier environments where people live, work, learn, play and worship. The rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the foremost program for green buildings. The 125-year-old school’s new buildings were designed by emersion DESIGN and constructed by Conger Construction Group between 2017 and 2020. The sustainable buildings speak to the Community of the Transfiguration’s mission since Bethany’s founding in 1898.
“The Bethany School project has blessed emersion DESIGN with the opportunity to create a truly holistic building plan that promotes the health and wellness of all who experience it,” says Christie Boron, Principal Architect at emersion DESIGN. “Its energy-efficient, nature-inspired design elevates the school’s mission to celebrate, restore, and regenerate nature’s beauty.”
Schools can achieve LEED certification through a rigorous process of incorporating green strategies to achieve overall efficiency and healthy indoor environments. The Bethany School campus features a geothermal energy system to harness the natural temperature of the earth to reduce energy consumption. The grades 3-8 academic building is designed to be the first Net-Zero Energy school building in the Midwest thanks to ample solar photovoltaic systems meant to offset 100% of the building’s energy load. Bethany School’s nature-inspired playscape is incorporated into its green infrastructure and water-smart landscaping to treat and slow down stormwater runoff. As a LEED-certified school project, sustainability education is integrated into the school’s curriculum and student life, and all full-time faculty have completed the USGBC Green Classroom Professional Certificate Program.
“Our new green buildings affirm our commitment to being a community where all members can thrive,” explains Holly Fidler, Head of School. “Bethany School is on the path to another 125 years of stewardship and sustainability.”
Photo caption: Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church Reverend Michael Curry stands between Sister Lynn and Bethany School’s Head of School Holly Fidler (left) and Sister Jean-Gabriel and Bethany’s Director of Community Engagement Sharon Shumard (right). Photo credit: Margie Kessler
