Several U.S. Schools Close Due to Heatwaves and Inadequate Air Conditioning

As summer temperatures soar across the United States, a growing number of schools are facing an alarming challenge: extreme heat combined with outdated or inadequate air conditioning systems. This issue has led to school closures, early dismissals, and disrupted learning environments, raising concerns about student safety, educational equity, and the broader impacts of climate change. From California to Philadelphia, schools are struggling to keep classrooms cool, and the consequences are affecting students, teachers, and communities nationwide.

The Heatwave Crisis in U.S. Schools

In recent years, heatwaves have become more frequent and intense due to climate change, pushing temperatures to record highs. In 2024, cities like Long Beach, California, hit a scorching 109 degrees Fahrenheit, while other regions, including Philadelphia and Baltimore, faced prolonged periods of excessive heat. These conditions are particularly challenging for schools, many of which were built decades ago when air conditioning was not a standard feature. According to a 2023 report from UC Berkeley and Stanford University, about 15 to 20% of California’s K-12 public schools lack functioning air conditioning systems, and another 10% have systems in dire need of repair or replacement.

This problem isn’t limited to California. In Philadelphia, 63 schools without adequate air conditioning were forced to dismiss students early on August 28, 2024, as temperatures climbed. Similarly, in Baltimore, a dozen public schools shifted to virtual learning in September 2023 due to excessive heat and the absence of reliable cooling systems. These closures and schedule changes disrupt education and create significant challenges for working parents who must scramble to arrange childcare.

Why Air Conditioning Matters in Schools

Extreme heat in classrooms doesn’t just make learning uncomfortable—it can have serious health and academic consequences. High temperatures can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke, particularly for young children who are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Juliette Sanchez, an eighth-grader from Oakland, described the heat in her school as “sometimes unbearable,” highlighting how it affects students’ ability to focus.

Research supports these concerns. A 2024 article from The New York Times noted that high temperatures, especially over prolonged periods, negatively impact learning outcomes, including test scores. When classrooms are too hot, students struggle to concentrate, and teachers face difficulties maintaining an effective teaching environment. This is particularly concerning in underfunded schools, where aging infrastructure and limited budgets make it harder to address these issues.

The Infrastructure Challenge

Many U.S. schools were built in an era when heatwaves were less severe, and air conditioning was considered a luxury rather than a necessity. In Long Beach, California, 13 public schools serving approximately 14,000 students lack air conditioning in all or most of their buildings. In Oakland, as many as 2,000 classrooms are without cooling systems. These schools often rely on outdated ventilation systems or portable fans, which are no match for triple-digit temperatures.

Even schools with air conditioning face challenges. Aging systems frequently break down under the strain of extreme heat, and underfunded districts struggle to afford repairs or upgrades. Maintenance staff are often stretched thin, unable to keep up with the demand for repairs. This creates a cycle where schools limp along with patchwork solutions, leaving students and teachers to bear the consequences.

The financial burden of upgrading HVAC systems is significant. Installing or replacing central air conditioning systems can cost millions of dollars per school, a price tag that many districts, particularly in low-income areas, cannot afford. While federal and state funding programs exist, they often fall short of covering the full cost, leaving schools to prioritize between cooling systems, textbooks, or other essential resources.

Disparities in Access to Cooling

The heatwave crisis highlights a deeper issue of educational inequity. Schools in wealthier districts are more likely to have modern facilities with reliable air conditioning, while those in low-income communities often lack the resources to upgrade their systems. This disparity disproportionately affects students of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who are more likely to attend underfunded schools.

Sheila Foster, a climate professor at Columbia University, emphasized that low-income households and schools face “numerous obstacles” to installing energy-efficient cooling systems, including inadequate infrastructure and limited funding. This inequity exacerbates the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, who are already more likely to experience the impacts of extreme heat due to factors like urban heat islands—areas where large buildings and pavement trap heat, making temperatures even higher.

The Broader Impact of Climate Change

The closure of schools due to heatwaves is part of a larger pattern driven by climate change. A 2024 UNICEF report estimated that extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves, disrupted the education of 242 million children across 85 countries last year. In the U.S., the increasing frequency of heatwaves is forcing schools to adapt to a new reality where extreme weather is no longer a rare event but a recurring challenge.

The reliance on air conditioning to combat heatwaves also has environmental implications. A 2024 report from Ember found that cooling needs during heatwaves drove a surge in fossil fuel use in the U.S., with coal and gas supplying a third of the increased electricity demand in June of the previous year. This creates a vicious cycle: the burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change, which leads to more intense heatwaves, increasing the demand for air conditioning and further straining energy systems.

Solutions and Steps Forward

Addressing the heatwave crisis in schools requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some steps being taken or proposed to tackle the issue:

1. Upgrading Infrastructure: Some districts are investing in modern HVAC systems, though funding remains a barrier. Federal programs, like those introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, have provided some relief, but more sustained investment is needed to ensure all schools have adequate cooling.
2. Policy Changes: Cities like New York and Los Angeles are considering mandates to require air conditioning in public buildings, including schools. These policies could set a precedent for other regions to follow.
3. Heat Action Plans: Some states, like Delhi in India, have issued guidelines to protect students from extreme heat, such as banning outdoor activities and ensuring access to clean drinking water. U.S. schools could adopt similar measures to prioritize student safety during heatwaves.
4. Community Advocacy: Students and parents are increasingly vocal about the need for better cooling systems. In Oakland, environmental clubs like the one Juliette Sanchez belongs to are advocating for more efficient HVAC systems, raising awareness about the issue.
5. Sustainable Solutions: Investing in energy-efficient air conditioners and renewable energy sources, like rooftop solar, could help schools stay cool without contributing to fossil fuel emissions. However, as Sheila Foster noted, low-income schools face significant barriers to adopting these technologies.

A Call to Action

The closure of U.S. schools due to heatwaves and inadequate air conditioning is a wake-up call. It underscores the urgent need to address aging infrastructure, prioritize student safety, and tackle the root causes of climate change. As temperatures continue to rise, the education system must adapt to ensure that all students have access to safe, comfortable learning environments.

For parents, teachers, and community members, this issue is a reminder to advocate for change. Whether it’s supporting local bond measures to fund school upgrades or pushing for state and federal policies to address climate impacts, collective action is essential. Students like Juliette Sanchez are already leading the way, showing that young voices can make a difference.

As we move forward, the focus must be on creating equitable solutions that protect all students, regardless of their school’s budget or location. No child should have to learn in a classroom that feels like a furnace, and no school should have to close because it can’t keep its students cool. By investing in our schools and our planet, we can build a future where education thrives, even in the face of rising temperatures.

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