Hot Temperatures May Hurt Students’ Learning

Students return to school within a matter of weeks. With hot weather blazing, warm indoor temperatures are a concern. A new study led by the Rollins School of Public Health found that uncomfortable classroom temperatures don’t just affect health and comfort. They may affect children’s ability to learn, too. 

Researchers conducted a systematic review of 14 studies from around the world and saw a strong association between hot classrooms and poorer academic performance, particularly in math. There is no federal indoor temperature standard for K–12 classrooms, and few states have enforceable limits for excessive classroom heat.

“Schools need practical plans to ensure that every child has a safe, comfortable place to learn,” says Christine Ekenga, PhD, assistant professor of environmental health at the Rollins School of Public Health and senior author.

Immediate Steps to Improve Student Learning and Health 

Ekenga recommends that schools routinely monitor classroom temperature and humidity and develop response plans to protect students and staff from extreme heat. Practical strategies include:

• Closing blinds or exterior shades
• Installing solar-control window film or shade structures
• Using ceiling fans where appropriate
• Temporarily relocating students to cooler spaces when classrooms become excessively hot

Longer-term investments include maintaining and upgrading HVAC systems, increasing exterior shading, and making roof improvements to reduce indoor heat.

"The schools that are least equipped to manage extreme heat often serve the students who are most vulnerable to its effects,"says Ekenga. "Many low-income schools have older buildings, fewer cooling resources, and are located in neighborhoods with less tree cover. As temperatures continue to rise, investments to improve school environments should prioritize these communities."