Editors’ Note: This is the second in a series of  features highlighting little-known locations at Niles West.

Niles West High School is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as being one of ten K-12 schools in the nation, and one of only 2 schools in Illinois. In 2010, Niles West was awarded Energy Star by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

There are a lot of ways Niles West is a “green” school. The janitorial staff uses low toxicity cleaners, there’s an LEED Silver certified six classroom addition, water bottle refill stations at water fountains, an outdoor classroom, sun control louvers, solar panels, motion sensor lighting systems, shuttles for staff who want to ride mass transit, bike racks/storage for students and staff, and even organic food service. One of the most recent big things West has added to that list is a green roof.

On September 23, 2010, Sullivan Roofing Inc. installed a 2,040 square foot LiveRoof (hybrid green roofing system) above the athletic trainers’ facility. The green roof extends the lifetime of the roof between 200-300 percent and provides energy savings on heating and cooling of up to 50 percent.

The roof also reduces of water and lessens the risk of combined sewer overflow and flooding.

The Green Roof adds many benefits to Niles West, including storing and filtrating storm water, which alleviates flooding. There is also a bioswale, which helps remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. The green roof also helps keep the school cooler in the summer.