Daylighting has a significant impact on the ability of students to learn. The Heschong Mahone Group in a school daylight study reports: “We found that students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% on reading tests in one year than those with the least.

The LEED registered Library and Science Wing addition and renovation at Crossroads College Preparatory School will: 

• Maximize the amount of daylighting in all spaces in the new addition. The skylights have been added to the main lobby and the hallway of the addition. Large walls of glass bring light into the library and three science labs. 
• Reduce artificial lighting to conserve electricity and reduce cooling loads. This reduction will happen due to the installation of Photocells. A Photocell is a type of resistor. When light strikes the cell, it allows current to flow more freely. When dark, its resistance increases dramatically. These Photocells are put onto the light fixtures in the library, three labs, and the hallway of the addition. When the sunlight enters these areas of the building, the Photocells placed on the light fixtures will sense the incoming sunlight, automatically dimming the light fixtures, significantly conserving energy. 
• Use special glass to provide better insulating value than standard glass, reduce glare, and prevent unnecessary heat gain. 

• During construction, all duct and absorbent materials are covered to help with the air quality and the reduction of mold growth. 
• When the expansion is complete, 99.3% of the previously existing building will have been reused or recycled in our community! 

• All plants being used around the grounds of Crossroads College Prep will be indigenous Missouri plants. 
• Our Rain Garden will serve as a storm water retention area and reduce storm water runoff from the property.