MADISON, Wisconsin — In 2024, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) passed a referendum to build 10 new schools across seven sites. Sustainability has been central to the planning and design of these projects. …While operational energy efficiency often receives the most attention in schools, embodied carbon represents an equally important opportunity for districts planning capital improvements. MMSD set a goal to reduce embodied carbon by 15% compared to a project baseline for all new construction projects. …To evaluate progress toward MMSD’s embodied carbon goals, a detailed life-cycle assessment (LCA) for Black Hawk Middle School and Gompers Elementary was completed during design to understand district standards and material choices compared to conventional construction practices. …The largest reductions were achieved through the following material decisions: cast-in-place concrete, carpet and resilient flooring and steel decking. …To optimize building systems… explore hybrid structural systems, such as combining steel with mass timber.