Environmental and Atmospheric Influences on Academic Performance: The Role of Green Spaces, Roads, and Wildfires Around Schools and Homes in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

Environmental characteristics, such as proximity to green spaces and exposure to roads, can significantly influence atmospheric factors like air quality. For instance, areas with abundant green spaces typically exhibit better air quality, while high road density often correlates with increased air pollution, both of which can affect students’ cognitive functioning and academic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the environmental and atmospheric conditions—specifically green spaces (measured by the NDVI and green space area), roads (total road length), and wildfires—around students’ schools and homes in the Federal District (FD), Brazil, and their impact on academic performance. We analyzed data from 344,175 public school students across 256 schools in the FD, covering the years 2017 to 2020. Using a mixed-effects regression model, we investigated how neighborhood characteristics such as green spaces, road density, and wildfire frequency influence individual-level academic performance while controlling for temporal, socioeconomic, and school-specific factors. Our findings indicate that the environmental factors around schools, particularly green spaces and road density, have significant associations with academic outcomes. Specifically, a higher road density around schools was linked to lower academic performance, whereas green space presence had a generally positive impact, especially around schools. Wildfires, while negatively associated with performance around homes, had mixed effects around schools. These results underscore the importance of considering environmental and atmospheric factors in urban planning and education policy to enhance student performance.