Extreme Heat in Schools - Why Every District Needs a Plan

As schools nationwide open up their doors to students this month, millions of people are under extreme heat warnings. Amidst this heat wave, many students are heading into buildings that lack air conditioning and ventilation to keep them healthy and learning. Without adequate air conditioning to prevent heat-related illnesses, districts are often forced to close.

In 2022, UndauntedK12 began tracking extreme-heat and other weather-related closures across schools nationwide to visualize the scale of this issue. So far, we have documented over 1,000 instances of weather-related learning loss between 2021 and 2024 – some of the hottest years on record.

Students are losing valuable learning time and will continue to do so as climate change intensifies – unless districts take action. 

Here are 3 things you can do today:

• Learn. Understand how extreme weather impacts students in your community. Check out the school closures map and the featured readings on extreme heat below. 

• Advocate. Encourage your local school district to create an extreme heat and weather plan in preparation for the upcoming school year. Check out the resources below and on our website to get started. 

• Share. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) now offers substantial reimbursements for school districts pursuing clean energy upgrades that can heat and cool school buildings, improve air quality, and lower operating costs. Check out the Schools and the Inflation Reduction Act web page to understand how your district can leverage this opportunity to protect student health and learning.