Wisconsin Students Competing, Saving Tax Dollars & Energy in Schools

Renew Our Schools is officially underway this spring. Across Wisconsin, students are competing in a six-week, hands-on competition to help their schools save energy which, in turn, saves taxpayer dollars. The competition is supported by FOCUS ON ENERGY® and KEEP - Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program. It runs through April 4, 2026, and encourages students to monitor their energy use in real time.

During the competition, schools earn points for reducing electricity use, engaging students and staff, and completing energy challenges. Winners in each cohort will be recognized in April for their efforts to save energy. During the competition, schools earn points for reducing electricity use, engaging students and staff, and completing energy challenges. Winners in each cohort will be recognized in April for their efforts to save energy.

Participating schools include:

Novice Cohort 

• Cornerstone Lutheran High School (Eau Claire)
• Gilman School District
• La Follette High School
• Nekoosa High School

Alumni Cohort 

• Mauston High School
• McFarland High School
• Northland Lutheran High School (Kronenwetter)
• School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies (Waupun Area School District)
• Story School (Milwaukee Public Schools)

McFarland High School has competed in multiple seasons of the competition and secured wins in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The school uses the competition to help students build leadership skills and support their interest in sustainability. Wendy Pliska, EcoClub Advisor, said, “Our students look forward to participating in Renew Our Schools because it gives them a role in improving how our building uses energy. We’ve been proud to place well in past competitions, but what keeps us coming back is the challenge of pushing ourselves further.”

Heather Feigum, Program Manager for Focus on Energy, shared, “The mix of new and returning schools helps strengthen the competition. Renew our Schools gives students a chance to understand their school in a whole new way.”