Building Excellence: The Financial & Human Case for High-Performance Schools

Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Ballroom F

Every school that is designed is a long-term investment in human potential—and every missed opportunity to build high-performance carries costs for decades. This session calls education leaders, designers, and decision-makers to move beyond minimum standards and champion high-performance schools as a strategy for student success, staff well-being, and fiscal responsibility. Participants will explore how these environments improve academic outcomes, attendance, and teacher retention while creating healthier, safer spaces. High-performance schools also deliver measurable financial value—reducing operational costs, extending building life, and protecting districts from energy and climate volatility. Through real-world examples and data, this session demonstrates that high-performance is not a premium, but the most responsible investment communities can make. Attendees will gain practical tools, policy strategies, and advocacy approaches to turn vision into implementation. Insights from leaders at Los Angeles Unified School District and the Division of the State Architect ground the session in proven outcomes and scalable practices.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Attendees will be able to:

• Define and advocate for what truly constitutes a high-performance school
• Make the case that place directly impacts learning, wellness, and retention
• Quantify and communicate the financial return on investment to stakeholders
• Lead implementation with clear strategies for planning, funding, and delivery

Why This Matters (Benefits to Schools & Communities)
• Students thrive: Better air, light, acoustics, and thermal comfort improve learning, focus, and attendance
• Teachers stay: Healthy, inspiring environments support retention and reduce burnout
• Districts save: Lower energy, maintenance, and lifecycle costs free up funding for education
• Communities benefit: Schools become resilient, adaptable, and valuable civic assets
• Future risk is reduced: Facilities are prepared for climate, code evolution, and changing pedagogy

What You’ll Gain (Tools + Takeaways)
• Real-world case studies demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Proven frameworks for aligning performance goals with budgets
• Policy and funding strategies to support high-performance implementation
• Tools and resources from HED, LAUSD, and the Division of the State Architect
• Messaging strategies to build stakeholder and community support

Interactive Call to Action Experience
This session invites participants to actively shape the future of high-performance schools:
• Contribute to a collective definition of high-performance through interactive prompts
• Identify barriers and gaps in current practice across districts and regions
• Collaboratively map resources, funding pathways, and implementation strategies
• Engage directly with experts on policy, delivery, and measurable outcomes

The session concludes with an open Q&A, ensuring participants leave with clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps.

Speakers:
Mary Ruppenthal, Education Sector Leader, HED
Ida Clair, State Architect, Division of the State Architect, CA Department of General Services
Christos Chrysiliou, Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Unified School District

Mary Ruppenthal, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, DBIA, is a Principal and National Education Market Sector Leader at HED with more than 30 years of experience shaping educational environments throughout California and across the nation. She partners with district leadership, educators, stakeholders, industry partners, and communities to deliver innovative, fiscally responsible learning environments that align with district priorities, strengthen communities, and help every student succeed.

Known for her collaborative, purpose-driven leadership, Mary brings together diverse teams to translate educational visions into high-performing, equitable, and resilient learning environments. Her expertise spans educational planning, architecture, construction, and stakeholder engagement, combining technical rigor with inclusive decision-making to deliver projects that enhance engagement, health and wellness, educational performance, and long-term community value.

Mary has completed more than 100 PK–12 and higher education projects, helping clients navigate complex challenges while creating adaptable, human-centered environments with measurable educational and community impact. She has served on the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Board of Directors since 2019 and is the Past President of the Northern California/Nevada Chapter. Mary earned a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.