The Smart Choice for School Construction

“K-12 school districts spend nearly $8 billion annually on energy costs, the second largest expense after teacher salaries. Aging facilities combined with limited school budgets result in deferred maintenance of facilities with an estimated $270 billion needed for infrastructure repairs.” – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

With aging school infrastructure and rising energy costs straining budgets nationwide, educational facilities need smarter, more cost-effective building solutions. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) offer a way to construct high-performance, energy-efficient schools that provide long-term savings and healthier learning environments.  Design and building professionals have successfully used SIPs for K-12 public and private schools, as well as higher education facilities, in a range of climates. From the extreme heat of Arizona to the cold of Alaska, SIPs have proven to be an adaptable, durable, and efficient building solution.

Why SIPs Are Optimal for Educational Facilities

Schools require durable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient building solutions that enhance student and teacher comfort while reducing operational expenses. SIPs provide all these benefits in a single, high-performance system. Their unique construction allows schools to be built faster, operate more efficiently, and maintain a more comfortable indoor environment.

As energy costs continue to rise, reducing heating and cooling demands is essential. Schools built with SIPs provide exceptional insulation, minimize air leakage, and create a tighter, more efficient building envelope—all of which contribute to lower utility bills and operational savings.

What Are SIPs?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are advanced prefabricated wall and roof components designed to streamline construction and enhance building performance. Unlike traditional wood or steel framing, concrete tilt-up walls, or masonry blocks commonly used in school construction, SIPs provide an all-in-one solution that integrates structure, insulation, and airtightness. Large structural insulated panels consist of a solid rigid insulation core structurally bonded between two layers of structural grade oriented strand board (OSB), forming an exceptionally high-performance building envelope.

Manufactured in a controlled factory environment, SIPs are engineered for precision. Large roof, wall and floor panels are manufactured custom to each building plan, and arrive at the jobsite in large sections—up to 8 feet by 24 feet—ready for fast and efficient installation.

By eliminating gaps and inefficiencies found in conventional construction methods, SIPs create a tighter, more energy-efficient structure that helps schools achieve long-term operational savings. SIPs enhance energy performance by:

• Reducing air leakage, improving indoor air quality, and minimizing drafts
• Limiting thermal bridging, which helps maintain consistent interior temperatures
• Preventing convective looping, reducing heat loss and improving HVAC efficiency

With their structural strength, energy efficiency, and rapid installation benefits, SIPs are an ideal choice for educational facilities looking to build smarter, healthier learning environments.  

⇒ Project Highlight, Zuni Christian School, New Mexico:  “New Mexico’s high-elevation desert climate with its extreme temperature swings throughout the day and across the seasons makes it essential to have a tight building shell to achieve energy efficiency.  It was an important criteria of the school’s building committee to minimize energy costs, use resources responsibly, conserve water and remain true to the Zuni Indians’ pueblo design and environmental values, while still staying within a limited budget. The structural insulated panels combined with the steel frame construction provide a creative way to meet these goals. In addition, the construction of the system is not weather dependent and can be erected and enclosed in a minimal amount of time.” - Larry Hibbard, Hibbard Architecture and Planning.   

What Are Benefits of Using SIPs for School Construction?

Reducing School Operating Costs

Energy efficiency is a major concern for school districts, where heating and cooling expenses account for a significant portion of annual operating budgets. Because SIPs provide superior insulation and an airtight envelope, they dramatically reduce energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills and long-term cost savings.  

A great example of school energy savings is The Sussex School in Missoula, Montana.  Prior to construction, the original  energy modeling, for the school to be site framed with traditional wood, batt insulation and sheathing, projected monthly energy costs to be $1,100/mo.  When the project managers decided to use Premier SIPS framing to help speed up the construction schedule, the actual energy costs of the school were just $210 a month - including extremely cold winter months where temperatures range between 27-39°.

Faster Installation for Quicker School Openings

SIPs arrive on-site pre-cut and labeled for efficient assembly. Entire wall sections can be installed in a matter of hours or days. Electrical chases are pre-cut, eliminating the need to drill holes for wiring through numerous individual studs. This Las Vegas School saved approximately one million dollars in direct construction costs related to speed of electrical installation and construction with Premier SIPS. 

Additionally, SIPs can be manufactured with door and window openings pre-cut to further accelerate the construction process.  For example, the Parker K-8 school in Colorado had a very short build time and were in need of the most efficient building method.  The panels were delivered in June, and the school was fully constructed and ready for a new school year by September.  The speed of construction that SIPs deliver, enables educational facilities to be operational for learning much faster. 

Project Highlight: Manch Elementary School | Las Vegas, NV

Healthier Learning Environments

Premier SIPS are "Clean Air Gold" Certified, helping to create healthier indoor spaces.  By minimizing exposure to airborne contaminants, SIP-built schools contribute to better respiratory health, improved focus, and overall well-being for children and young adults. The airtight building envelopes that SIPs create help maintain superior indoor air quality by reducing drafts and preventing unwanted air infiltration. This airtight nature also seals out common pollutants such as radon, pollen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and lead dust—creating a cleaner, healthier learning environment for students and staff. 

Durability and Resilience

SIPs provide exceptional structural strength, making them ideal for educational facilities in natural disaster prone regions and extreme climates. Further, with high occupancy on a daily basis, schools that must withstand heavy use over decades. Their ability to withstand high winds, seismic events, and extreme weather conditions makes them a reliable choice for long-term school infrastructure.

⇒ Project Highlight, Joann A Alexi Memorial School, Alaska:  In Alaska’s harsh climate, durability and resilience are critical in school construction. One K-12 school was designed to withstand heavy snowfall and strong winds, utilizing Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for superior thermal performance and structural strength. The building envelope features 12-inch SIPs for the roof and angled walls, while 8-inch SIPs wrap the remaining vertical walls and the underside of the raised foundation. The unique design directs wind flow beneath the school, supporting the foundation’s thermosyphons and reducing snow drift at entryways. Additionally, a full rainscreen system and a vented over-framed SIP roof ensure long-term durability and protection against moisture.

SIPs are Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible

• SIPs reduce construction waste, and costs, significantly compared to traditional building methods
• Their high energy efficiency significantly reduces a building’s carbon footprint, and fossil fuel consumption
• Schools built with SIPs often qualify for green building certifications such as LEED and Net Zero Energy
  
  

More Premier SIP School Examples

⇒ Finn Hill Jr. High in Washington - Net-zero energy Seattle area public school is 70% more energy efficient than older buildings, and offers students the tools to monitor energy consumption/savings. 
⇒ Little Big Horn College in Montana - SIPs helped meet accelerated construction schedules and obtain LEED Platinum certification
⇒ Western Wyoming Community College - used SIPs for exterior and interior walls in their state-of-the-art dorms 
⇒ Sierra Canyon Lower School Gym in Southern California - SIPs helped this private school meet stringent Title 24 compliance, and easily construct tall walls while meeting fast building schedule requirements
⇒ Alakanuk School in Alaska - heating concerns for harsh winters had the designers turn to SIPs
⇒ Aspen School in Colorado - Massive addition to this Colorado school, chose SIPs for the expansion and new gym
⇒ Carol College in Montana - Large college chapel and classrooms were installed quickly, with complex pre-cut panels installed in the heart of a snowy Montana winter.
⇒ Fairfield Elementary in Oregon - Replacement school built next to existing 1950's school, while school still in session. 

A Smarter Way to Build Schools

With rising energy costs, shrinking budgets, and growing concerns about student health and safety, SIPs provide an innovative, cost-effective solution for school construction. By reducing operating costs, improving energy efficiency, and streamlining construction, SIPs allow school districts to allocate more resources where they belong—toward education.

To learn more about designing schools with SIPs or to connect with a Premier SIPS expert, contact us today. Let’s build smarter schools for a better future.

VIEW SCHOOL PORTFOLIO:  Get a glimpse of some Premier SIPS school projects, in our portfolio of high-performance educational facilities.