This article examines how extreme weather is disrupting U.S. schools and what states, districts, and communities are doing to build climate-resilient, equitable learning environments. It highlights recent disruptions, the associated learning losses and stress, and the policy and on-the-ground actions aimed at protecting students and ensuring continued access to education in a changing climate.
What the data show about disruption and learning
Extreme weather—including heat waves, floods, wildfires, and severe storms—has become a growing barrier to stable school operations. During the 2024–25 school year, more than 9 million students were affected by closures or canceled activities.
In western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Helene in 2024 disrupted schooling for 76,000 students, with some missing up to 40 days. In Phoenix, residents endured 113 consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100°F.
These episodes illustrate how climate hazards translate into cumulative educational harm. The consequences extend beyond missed days.
Repeated disruptions and altered schedules contribute to learning loss, lower test scores, and added stress for students and caregivers. The burden falls disproportionately on low-income families and students of color, underscoring the role of environmental injustice in education.
Marginalized communities are more likely to live in flood-prone areas and attend under-resourced schools with aging HVAC systems that struggle to cope with extreme heat.
Educational impacts and equity considerations
As disruptions mount, schools face the challenge of maintaining continuity, supporting mental health, and preserving instructional quality. The need to address equity and opportunity becomes central to any climate resilience strategy.
Ensuring that all students—regardless of zip code—retain access to robust learning experiences is essential.
Building climate resilience in schools: policy and practice
To move from reactive responses to proactive resilience, experts advocate reducing carbon footprints and expanding climate education across the K–12 landscape. A growing number of states have begun to integrate climate literacy standards and related initiatives into curricula and graduation requirements.
State-level actions include policy shifts and programs that prepare students for green-economy jobs, while districts create internal structures to advance climate readiness.
Notable examples include Maryland, New Jersey, and Colorado, each pursuing different pathways to embed climate learning and workforce skills into schooling. Districts are also establishing climate action plans and sustainability offices to coordinate hardening of school infrastructure, secure reliable remote-learning tech, and train staff to recognize and address climate-related stress.
Policy levers and programs
- Climate literacy standards incorporated into state curricula and assessments
- District-level climate action plans and dedicated sustainability offices
- Infrastructure upgrades such as solar panels and battery storage for resilience
- Strengthened remote-learning capabilities to ensure continuity during emergencies
- Flexible, year-round calendars and alternative learning hubs
- Climate-readiness certifications for school buildings
On-the-ground actions: infrastructure, calendars, and community hubs
Practical adaptation includes hardening physical assets and rethinking the school calendar to minimize learning disruption. Investments in solar energy, energy storage, and reliable connectivity help keep schools open or quickly reopen after events.
Flexible scheduling and community learning hubs during emergencies offer safe spaces for students to continue learning when traditional buildings are compromised or unsafe.
Practical steps for districts
- Implement climate action plans with measurable resilience targets
- Develop sustainability offices and cross-departmental teams
- Upgrade to reliable remote-learning tech and offline resources
- Create community hubs that serve both schooling and social services during disasters
- Adopt climate-readiness certifications for school buildings and campuses
Resources and pathways forward
Guidance from national organizations can accelerate planning and implementation. The Aspen Institute’s K12 Climate Action Plan and UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard offer actionable frameworks for mitigation, adaptation, and equity-centered planning.
Real progress requires coordinated state and regional support and, crucially, the voices of the hardest-hit communities shaping what resilience looks like in practice.
Conclusion: toward proactive, resilient schools
Extreme weather will continue to test the resilience of American education.
The path forward combines climate education, robust infrastructure upgrades, flexible learning models, and community-informed planning.
Here is the source article for this story: Opinion: As Extreme Weather Disrupts Education, Schools Must Plan for the Next Disaster