School Facilities

Vision | Best Practices and Research | Planning and Design | Health and Safety | School Facilities Programs |
Guidance, Waivers, & Appeals | Field Operations

Vision for California Public School Facilities

The California Department of Education (CDE) envisions school facilities that are optimal teaching and learning environments that advance equity and educational opportunities for all students.

• Guiding Principles
  These guiding principles are meant to be applied comprehensively throughout the school facilities planning, design, and implementation process.
  

Best Practices and Research

• All Access Restrooms
  Provides background information, planning and design resources, laws and regulations, and references for the implementation of gender-inclusive restrooms in K–12 schools. (Nov 2022)
• Best Practices and Resources
  A range of information that support the school facilities planning, design, and implementation process.
• Research
  Research, topic sheets, and bibliographies that support the vision and guiding principles throughout the school facilities planning, design, and implementation process.
• School Closure Best Practices
  Provides updated guidance on facilities-related issues regarding school closures and, for schools in financial distress, information on California Education Code (EC) 41329, which became effective on September 6, 2022.
• Publications
  Publications which will assist school districts in the planning and development of school facilities.

Planning and Design

• Codes and Regulations
  Codes and regulations impacting the school facilities program.
• Forms Center
  School site and plan approval forms.
• Master Planning
  Information and resources to assist school districts in preparing facility master plans.
• New School Site Evaluation Process
  Information to assist school districts in submitting site applications to the CDE for approval including initial site visits, required forms, regulatory requirements, and CDEBox.
• Education Specifications (PDF)
  CDE’s guidance for designing schools to support the learning program.
• Plan Submittal Process
  Information to assist school districts in submitting new construction and modernization applications to the CDE for approval including required forms, architectural plans requirements, regulatory requirements, and CDEBox.
• Small School Site Guidelines
  Standards for school site selection including requirements for site size and physical education requirements.
• Charter Schools
  Provides information on the Charter School Program.

Health and Safety

• Health
  A collection of resources on issues related to healthy school environments, including air, water, toxic substances, and more.
  
• Safety
  Safety considerations in school design including traffic, crime, disasters and more.
  
• Sustainability
  Resources regarding energy conservation.

School Facilities Programs

• School Construction Toolkit
  Provides practical school facilities resources to help districts, fund and move projects forward.
• Green Ribbon Schools
  Information to assist schools in applying to the CDE for recognition as a green ribbon school at the federal level.
• Supporting America's School Infrastructure (SASI) Grant Program
  Provides an overview of the grant’s purpose and activities including technical assistance, regional collaboration, and the development of online resources.
• Supporting Priority School Districts
  Describes the Prop 2 bond-funded effort to augment the SASI grant program, with some differences in district eligibility and program implementation.
• Career Technical Education (CTE) Facilities Program
  Provides information on CTE funding opportunities.
• Early Learning Facilities Support
  Provides information on funding, regulations and design considerations for Preschool, transitional kindergarten (TK) and K classrooms.
• California Infrastructure and Economic Development
  Information on funding options including the Infrastructure State Revolving Fund Loan Program, California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs Center, and Public

Guidance, Waivers, & Appeals

• Civic Center Act
  Provides information regarding the use of school facilities or grounds as a civic center.
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund Reporting Requirements
  Provides information on annual federal reporting/recording requirements for any subgrantee that received Federal funds authorized for use in construction and/or facilities improvement projects in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. (Rev Dec 2024)
• Williams Act, Complaints & Appeals
  Information on the landmark Superior Court case, which provides all students equal access to instructional materials, quality teachers, and safe schools
• School District Organization
  Provides information for all parties involved in the school district organization processes, including unifications, territory transfers, and matters related to school board size, vacancies and elections.
• Multitrack Year-Round Education
  Provides information on implementing a year-round educational program.
  

Field Operations

• Field Operations County Assignments
  Field staff within the School Facilities Planning Division who complete plan and site reviews for new construction and modernization projects for local educational agencies.