Academic campus greenest in USA

An academy for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties was honoured in recent days after being classified as the only complete educational campus in the USA to achieve platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) status.

The Chartwell School benefits from extensive natural light due to sky lights and large windows as well as green flooring that encourages radiant heat and lowers the reliance on a heating or cooling system.

An 8,700-gallon rainwater cistern and waterless urinals also contribute to the sustainability of the structure, the Mercury News notes.

Co-founder of the school Judy Lewis tells the publication: "To have this extraordinarily incredible campus on top of what they are learning, its just fantastic."

Leed certification is carried out by the US Green Building Council and the organisation states that the system encourages and accelerates the adoption of sustainable and environmentally-aware building as well as the development of ecologically-aware practises.