Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News

Media Credit: christopher blake/staff writer Radnor Middle School's brand new four-story building towers over the 850 students as they walk into their new school each day. The new building has reached the highest level of certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for the school's environmentally beneficial features.

"I have to laugh to myself sometimes that we have this beautiful building. We have a great student body, a hard working faculty and now an amazing new facility," Radnor Middle School first-year Principal Anthony Stevenson said. "It's the kids that make it all worthwhile."

Radnor Middle School's brand new four-story building towers over the 850 students as they walk into their new school each day. Yet intimidated they are not.

Not only do three of the four floors in the schools academic wing accommodate one grade apiece, making students feel more comfortable, but the building has reached the highest level of certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for the school's environmentally beneficial features.

The school features a "green" roof with plants that produce oxygen, decrease storm water runoff and keep the buildings temperature down.

As reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Dan Hardy, "The roof is the first on a public school in the region and is part of the district's promise to create environmentally friendly buildings."

In addition, the building has recycled materials in the floor, carpets, ceiling tiles, counters and tack boards. Heat and motion sensors turn off class lights in empty rooms and light sensors shut off lights when there's enough natural light.

Classroom carbon dioxide monitors even trigger the piping bringing more fresh air if the level is too high.

"The end goal is not only to be environmentally conscious, but to provide the best, most healthy learning environment for kids," Leo Bernabei, the district's operations director, said.

Administrators and students are thrilled about the environmentally sound qualities and even happier to move into their new high tech building.

The grades are divided into areas called "pods" two on each floor, each with five classrooms. Students attend class in their pod and there is enough space for the whole team of up to 110 students to meet in a common area.

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