Forsyth Country Day School

Improving student wellbeing and sustainability with Envelo

Forsyth Country Day School

Overview

Forsyth Country Day School (FCDS), established in 1970, is a prominent coeducational private day school located in Lewisville, North Carolina.

Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, FCDS is dedicated to providing a balanced educational experience that emphasises academic excellence, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide array of extracurricular activities.

The importance of healthy indoor environments

Research underscores the critical role of indoor air quality (IAQ) in educational settings.

Dr. Joseph G. Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has highlighted that improved ventilation and air quality can significantly enhance cognitive function, leading to better student performance and health outcomes.

Importance of indoor air quality and energy efficiency

Importance of indoor air quality and energy efficiency Indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency are crucial in gyms and other recreational facilities. Research by Joseph Allen and Harvard University shows that poor indoor air quality can negatively impact health, cognitive function, and productivity. Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that improved ventilation and reduced CO2 levels can boost cognitive function by up to 101% and cut sick building syndrome symptoms by 25-50%. Envelo is unique in that it not only optimises spaces to be the healthiest but also balances for reduced energy costs and consumption, ensuring both environmental and financial benefits.

Objectives for implementing Envelo

Working with our partners, INVZBL, FCDS identified several key objectives in partnering with Envelo:

Differentiate the school: Demonstrate a commitment to student health and wellbeing, providing a unique value proposition to prospective families.

Enhance wellbeing and learning: Use Envelo's platform to share real-time environmental data with parents and stakeholders, showcasing the school's dedication to maintaining healthy and sustainable spaces.

Improve energy efficiency: Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and operational costs through optimized environmental controls.

Explore system integration: Envelo provides valuable insights into air quality and energy efficiency, with the potential to integrate with the school’s building management system in the future for enhanced optimisation.

About Envelo

Envelo is a leading provider of  building technology solutions, specialising in real-time environmental monitoring and smart automation.

Envelo provides real-time environmental monitoring, delivering insights to improve air quality, energy efficiency, and wellbeing.

While it can integrate with existing building management systems, Envelo works independently – helping schools achieve significant savings and healthier spaces without the complexity of full system integration.

Case Study Results & Benefits

Forsyth Country Day School
Lewisville, North Carolina

Future plans with Envelo

As part of its commitment to improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency, Forsyth Country Day School are exploring additional ways to enhance its learning spaces using Envelo’s technology which can include:

  • Outdoor air ventilation management – Optimising outdoor air intake in real-time to improve indoor conditions and ensure a fresh, well-balanced learning environment.
  • Continuous air quality monitoring – Deploying additional indoor air quality and carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors to provide live environmental data, allowing for proactive adjustments when needed.
  • Exploring future enhancements – The school is considering additional ways to further optimise energy use and air quality, including potential integration with existing building systems where appropriate.

Next steps

By continuing to leverage Envelo’s smart technology and real-time data insights, FCDS aims to further improve student wellbeing, energy efficiency, and sustainability over time.

Anticipated benefits

While specific outcomes are being monitored, the implementation of Envelo’s system is expected to:

Enhance student and staff health: Improved air quality can lead to reduced absenteeism and better overall health. For instance, schools that have prioritized good indoor air quality have observed significant drops in absenteeism rates among students with respiratory issues.

Boost cognitive function: Maintaining optimal CO₂ levels is associated with enhanced concentration and academic performance, thus improving learning outcomes and student / teacher wellbeing.

Achieve energy efficiency: Envelo’s real-time data helps schools adjust heating, cooling, and ventilation based on occupancy and air quality needs, reducing energy costs and consumption. The school may also explore further efficiency gains through integration with existing systems in the future.

Alignment with sustainability initiatives

North Carolina has been proactive in promoting sustainability within educational institutions. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality collaborates with schools to reduce pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, programs like NC Green Schools recognise schools that demonstrate holistic sustainability efforts.

By partnering with Envelo, FCDS aligns itself with these initiatives, showcasing leadership in environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

Forsyth Country Day School’s collaboration with Envelo demonstrates a proactive commitment to healthier, more sustainable learning environments.

By leveraging real-time air quality insights and data-driven solutions from Envelo, FCDS is enhancing student wellbeing, optimising energy use, and reinforcing its dedication to environmental responsibility – without the need for complex system integrations.

Find out more today and book a demo with Envelo