Neighborhood Schools
To help localities site their schools in a way that not only achieves their educational objectives, but also anchors the local neighborhood, supports better public health, creates a cleaner environment, spurs economic development, and offers additional amenities to the community, the National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched a new policy program, "Helping Johnny Walk to School," through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with generous funding from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.
To address the abandonment of older neighborhood schools and the siting of new schools outside of communities, the National Trust is now accepting applications from interested organizations to develop state-level policy recommendations and offer an educational program to help citizens and officials in their state make informed spending choices on school facilities. Applications are due on July 14, 2008 by 5:00 p.m. eastern. Questions about the RFP are being answered via an on-line Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), so please check back before submitting your proposal. Up to five organizations representing five geographically diverse states will be selected and an official announcement of grants awarded will be made on August 6, 2008. If you have additional questions, please call 202-588-6234 or e-mail renee_kuhlman@nthp.org.
Our Position
The National Trust for Historic Preservation advocates for the continued use of older and historic neighborhood schools as an anchor for healthy communities. We seek not only to reaffirm the contribution made by historic neighborhood schools to their communities, but also to provide policy direction for state policy makers and for community preservation advocates who help shape state policies.
Learn More
In 2000, the National Trust placed historic neighborhood schools on the list of America's 11 Most Endangered Places and our seminal publication, Why Johnny Can't Walk to School: Historic Neighborhood Schools in the Age of Sprawl, highligted the reasons why America's older and historic schools are being abandoned at an alarming rate. The problematic policies citied in Why Johnny Can't Walk to School were often based on outdated guidelines first published by the Council of Education Facility Planners International and adopted by many state departments of education. By adopting CEFPI's revised guidelines, communities can invest responsibly in their schools while preserving their neighborhoods and conserving historic and natural resources.
National Trust Resources
- Why Johnny Can't Walk to School in the Age of Sprawl (pdf)
- Model Public Policies and Historic Schools (pdf)
- State Policies and School Facilities (pdf)
- State Policies for School Construction and Renovation (pdf) (state by state information)
- Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21st Century Educations (pdf)
- Restoration vs. Replacement—The Role of a Feasibility Study (pdf)
- A Roadmap for Saving Your School (pdf)
- School renovation success stories
- "Smart Growth Schools" PowerPoint presentation (pdf)
Additional Resources on School Siting, Facilities, and Design Policy
- American Architectural Foundation
- Building Educational Success Together
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- National Center for Safe Routes to School
- The Rural School and Community Trust
- Safe Routes to School
Recent Publications
The Enterprise Foundation's recent publication provides an introduction to school-centered community revitalization, while ICMA's policy report offers case studies of local governments and school districts working together to find community solutions to school construction and renovation.
