Northside Elementary School has received Platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, with the Green Building Certification Institute for the school’s design focused on efficiency and sustainability. It now stands as the first elementary school in North Carolina to be certified LEED Platinum.

Before opening its doors in the fall of 2013, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools worked alongside Moseley Architects to create a school that was capable of supporting 585 students. Where the school now stands was once the grounds of the Orange County Training School, meaning that the site has been a place of education since 1924. A display within the school shows a visual timeline to represent the history of the area, as well as the large case of the original cornerstone of the school.

The design of Northside is built around the concept of sustainability. With this in mind, the design team and the school district cooperated to surpass their own expectations, yet remained on budget and on time for completion.

The school building incorporates signs that describe the sustainability brief descriptions of several sustainable design features utilized at Northside. The signs point to the Building Dashboard, which contains further information about these sustainable features. The teachers of Northside even incorporate these features into customized lesson plans and projects.

The managing principal for the project for Mosely Architects, Jim Copeland, said in a press release that he is proud of what they and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools have accomplished in the formation of Northside Elementary.

For more information about Northside Elementary School, click here.

Related Stories
‹
Glenwood Elementary Parents Urge School Board to Keep Programs Together as Relocation Conversations Begin
The CHCCS school board gathered to hear options for rehousing the acclaimed Mandarin program as Glenwood Elementary School prepares to close.
Food for Students to Continue Serving Summer To-Go Meals
Students at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and children across the country have access to free take-away summer meals.
CHCCS Receives $40,000 Grant from Duke Energy Foundation for STEM Program at Northside Elementary
Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools received a $40,000 check on Thursday to kick off a pilot STEM instruction program at Northside Elementary School. The grant, from the Duke Energy Foundation, will go toward the training and development of teachers for an Inquiry and Nature-Based STEM program for students from third to fifth grade. Chapel […]
Northside Elementary Earns Top (and Rare) Certification for Green Building
Northside Elementary School in Chapel Hill holds the distinct honor of being the first elementary school in North Carolina to receive LEED Platinum certification with the Green Building Certification Institute.
The Morning News: Chatham vs. Data Centers, CHCCS Board Vacancy, UNC Player Eligibility
In today's news: the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board will appoint a new member, and four UNC athletes have their eligibility restored.
The Morning News: Chatham Vs. Enbridge, 53 CHCCS Applications, UNC Falling
In today's news: Chatham County Commissioners take a stand against the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline.
The Morning News: Vehicle Break-Ins, CHCCS Redistricting
In today's news: Chapel Hill officials warn about a recent string of vehicle break-ins, and CHCCS moves ahead on elementary redistricting.
With School Closure Decisions Made, CHCCS Starts Elementary Redistricting Process for 2027-28
CHCCS must now prepare for a broader redistricting plan to be crafted for its elementary schools, as it aims for implementation in 2027-28.
Local Government Meetings: September 21-25, 2026
This week in local government: Chapel Hill weighs library card fees for out-of-towners, while the CHCCS board appoints a new member.
The Morning News: CHCCS Mandarin World Language, UNC Football
In today's news: the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board votes to dissolve the Mandarin World Language pathway now at Glenwood Elementary.
›