Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) stands out as the only school district in Florida to secure a $15 million 2024 Renew America’s School Prize and grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
This funding will be used to upgrade buildings in a way that lowers energy costs and enhances indoor air quality in older schools.
“Our goal is to set an example of what’s achievable for all schools in Miami-Dade County when it comes to energy resiliency,” said M-DCPS Sustainability Officer Karly Pulido. “These improvements will not only benefit the schools but also revitalize local communities.”
In the initial phase of the grant, M-DCPS will receive $300,000 to start planning upgrades for the schools identified as needing them most. Once this phase is complete, the District will move forward and enter into an agreement with DOE to begin the renovations, which will unlock the remaining funds. M-DCPS will also contribute $4.7 million to the project.
M-DCPS is one of 16 school districts nationwide, and the only one in Florida, moving on to phase two with the potential to receive up to $15 million. Among these districts, M-DCPS has the largest number of facilities slated for energy efficiency improvements.
The district has identified 74 buildings across ten Title I schools with high energy needs to participate in the Renew America’s Schools program. The upgrades will include modern lighting, more energy-efficient air conditioning units, and solar panels for some schools. In total, the grant will benefit 7,460 students.
This initiative is part of a broader $190 million DOE investment to help K-12 public schools nationwide make energy upgrades that reduce energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and create healthier environments for students and teachers. The grant will support 320 school facilities across 21 states.
