The Numbers
Don't Lie.
Every statistic below is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, NCES, NEEP, and peer-reviewed research. These aren't talking points — they're the reality of what's happening to America's classrooms right now.
Spent annually by U.S. schools on electricity — money that could go to teachers and students.
Of teachers report spending their own money on classroom supplies — averaging $800/year out of pocket.
Schools Are Paying a Staggering Price for Power
U.S. K–12 public schools collectively spend over $8 billion per year on energy — making it the second-largest operating expense after personnel.
Average annual electricity cost for a single U.S. public school.
K–12 public schools eligible to eliminate their electricity bill entirely.
Of total non-personnel operating budget consumed by energy
Spent on books, supplies, and learning tools
Counselors, nurses, and mental health resources
Rising Faster Than Budgets
School energy costs have risen 56% since 2000, while per-pupil funding has grown only 27% in real terms over the same period.
Energy cost increase since 2000
Real per-pupil funding growth since 2000
Gap — money that should go to kids
What the Budget Crisis Costs Children
Public school students in the U.S. whose education is directly impacted by energy-driven budget cuts.
Real reduction in per-student state funding since the 2008 financial crisis — many states never fully recovered.
Districts have cut arts, music, or physical education programs in the last 5 years due to budget pressure.
Of low-income schools lack fully equipped STEM labs — directly linked to energy and facilities budget shortfalls.
Average increase in students per classroom since 2010 as districts cut teaching positions to offset rising costs.
Average student-to-counselor ratio in U.S. public schools — nearly double the recommended 250:1 standard.
Average age of core textbooks in underfunded districts — many still teaching pre-pandemic, pre-AI curricula.
Students in the lowest-income school districts score 13 percentile points lower on national assessments than peers in wealthier districts — a gap directly correlated with resource and facility funding disparities.
Teachers Are Funding Schools Themselves
Average amount U.S. teachers spend of their own money on classroom supplies each year — because school budgets can't cover the basics.
Of teachers spend personal money on supplies — it's not the exception, it's the norm.
Total out-of-pocket spending by U.S. teachers annually — a hidden subsidy to underfunded schools.
Of teachers report that budget cuts have directly reduced their ability to teach effectively.
Of new teachers leave the profession within 5 years — burnout and inadequate resources are top cited reasons.
Average U.S. teacher salary — but in 30 states, starting teacher pay falls below the living wage for a family of four.
Unfilled teaching positions across the U.S. as of fall 2023
Decline in teacher preparation program enrollment since 2010
Higher attrition rate in high-poverty schools vs. affluent districts
$180K redirected per school
Enough to hire 2–3 additional teachers at average salary, or fund 225 students' worth of supplies annually.
$0 out-of-pocket for supplies
When budgets are freed from energy costs, districts can fully fund classroom supply budgets — ending teacher self-funding.
Competitive salaries become possible
Districts saving $180K/yr in energy can reallocate to teacher compensation — directly addressing the retention crisis.
What Free Power Unlocks
If every U.S. public school eliminated its electricity bill, here's what the math says becomes possible — based on real per-school averages.
Freed from electricity bills annually — available to be reinvested directly into children's education.
New teachers that could be hired nationally at average salary with the $8B in freed funds
Textbooks, tablets, or STEM kits that could be purchased for students nationwide
Students who could receive full college scholarship funding from redirected energy savings
2–3 New Teachers
At $60K–$80K avg. starting salary
Full STEM Lab Buildout
Equipment, computers, and materials
Arts & Music Programs Restored
Full-year programs for all grade levels
1:1 Device Program
Tablets or Chromebooks for every student
Returned to the economy for every $1 invested in early childhood and K–12 education — making free school power one of the highest-ROI public investments possible.
The World's Children Need This Too
Children worldwide attend schools with no reliable electricity — unable to use computers, lights, or modern learning tools.
Of schools in Sub-Saharan Africa lack reliable electricity access — the single biggest barrier to digital education.
Average learning deficit for students in schools without reliable power vs. fully electrified schools.
People globally still lack internet access — most in regions where school electrification would be the first step to connectivity.
Increase in lifetime earnings for every additional year of quality education — powered schools are the foundation.
Every Number Above
Has a Name.
Behind every statistic is a student who deserves better, a teacher who deserves support, and a school that deserves to be fully powered. GridKids.org is how we fix it — starting now.