Clean Air School Challenge

Sign up starts on July 1, 2025, and will be ongoing through September 2029. Schools can sign up at any time. Prior to the July 1, 2025, opening date, schools can fill out this interest form, or email CASC@Lung.org to indicate interest and they will have a spot in the program.

Any K-12 school nationwide can join CASC. This program is designed to work with any K-12 school regardless of previous experience or knowledge of indoor air quality. School administration support is needed to sign up.

By signing up, the school or district is indicating their willingness to assess their building’s IAQ and develop an Energy Efficient Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. Schools and districts that already have Plans prior to signing up are reaffirming their ongoing commitment to providing clean indoor air for their school community.

Several states have existing statutes related to indoor air quality policies and practices in schools. Participation can help schools meet the requirements of statutes in their state. For others, participation shows your school community, students, teachers and parents that your school administrators value the well-being of students and know the impact that air quality can have on health, learning, success and academic achievement. 

Many studies have linked good indoor air quality in schools to a variety of positive health and academic outcomes. Read more about the many impacts of air quality in schools and why prioritizing clean air in schools is important.

A CASC staff will follow up with schools after they sign up. Based on their responses to key questions during sign up, schools will fall into one of three phases of CASC: Assess, Plan or Act. These phases are based on their current progress toward Energy Efficient IAQ Management Plan development and implementation. Schools advance to the next phase once key milestones are completed.

Once signed up, schools might do some or all the following:

All participating schools will receive recognition from the Lung Association for their leadership and commitment to improving IAQ.

Yes! Schools with existing Energy Efficient IAQ Management Plan (Plan) can submit their Plan. They will receive recognition as a CASC participant and can serve as a peer mentor for another school that may not be as far along in their Plan development. Schools may also apply for a mini-grant for implementation of Plan activities.

CASC is designed to meet schools where they are. Schools need not have any prior experience related to IAQ or Plan development before joining. Schools will have support and resources through the steps of conducting an IAQ assessment and developing a Plan. They can also receive a peer mentor (another school with more IAQ experience).

Everyone can access IAQ educational videos, downloadable fact sheets, and awareness resources on Lung.org/CASC. They can use those tools and their voices to encourage local schools to participate in CASC. Talking points can be provided which will support parents who wish to write to their school boards or speak at a meeting. Parent, student and teacher voices can help foster school administration involvement.