01
A small founding group
About five cities or regional clusters make up the first cohort.
2027 Cohort · The cohort
A national effort for clean classroom air
We’re in early conversations with cities about the 2027 Cohort, the first Clean Air Capitals cohort: early leaders who will show the country what clean classroom air looks like, with cleaner air in classrooms as school opens in fall 2027. If your city is interested, please get in touch.
The first cohort
A small founding cohort
We are approaching cities where we already see important building blocks for success: committed leaders, relevant local initiatives, strong institutions and relationships, and a clear opportunity to build momentum.
02
A hand in the design
Founding partners help shape the program: the timeline, the supports, and how the cohort works together.
03
A national stage
Cohort cities become the examples others follow, with a spring 2027 convening and communications support to tell their story.
04
Cleaner air by fall 2027
The aim is cleaner classroom air in place when school opens in 2027.
Regions and partners
One national cohort, many kinds of air
What makes indoor air unhealthy varies across the country. A cohort that spans regions produces solutions that work in many places, and every city learns from the others. A seat can be one city or a regional cluster of smaller districts sharing capacity.
AK
ME
VT
NH
WA
ID
MT
ND
MN
IL
WI
MI
NY
RI
MA
OR
NV
WY
SD
IA
IN
OH
PA
NJ
CT
CA
UT
CO
NE
MO
KY
WV
VA
MD
DE
AZ
NM
KS
AR
TN
NC
SC
DC
OK
LA
MS
AL
GA
HI
TX
FL
- PacificWildfire smoke, plus traffic near freeways and ports
- Mountain WestWildfire smoke and winter inversions that trap pollution in valleys
- Midwest & Great LakesAging school buildings, smoke that travels from distant fires, and summer heat
- Northeast & Mid-AtlanticSome of the oldest school buildings and HVAC systems, dense traffic corridors, and high childhood asthma rates in some cities
- SouthHeat and humidity that keep buildings closed and strain HVAC, moisture and mold, and traffic and industrial corridors
Regions are illustrative. The drivers shown are common patterns, not a description of any one city.
Who a seat brings together
Both the mayor’s office and the school district. We are also open to working with networks of charter schools and early childhood centers, as well as districts.
The city
The mayor’s office, and potentially other local agencies such as health and environment.
School districts
District and superintendent ownership matters most for implementation.
Charter school and early childhood networks
Networks of charter schools and early childhood centers, as well as districts.
Community partners
Public health, facilities, and community partners strengthen the plan.
More on the 2027 Cohort
Get in touch
To learn more about Clean Air Capitals and the 2027 Cohort, write to us at [email protected].