The US Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program is an innovative approach that entices schools to improve their eco-attributes.
The program recognizes schools that work to reduce environmental impact and costs, provide a better environment for student and staff health and educate students on environmental and sustainability issues. Schools that do well in these three areas, also known as Pillars, are recognized by the Department of Education.
According to a release from the Department of Education, the award “is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education (ED) effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices that are proven to result in improved student engagement, higher academic achievement and graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government wide goal of increasing energy independence and economic security.”
In 2013, the second annual Green Ribbon Awards honored 78 schools and programs, with 29 states and the District of Columbia all represented. The types of activities that earn recognition included a construction project at a school in Alabama that preserved a wetland area, fourteen million in energy energy savings at a Colorado school district, and a rooftop solar power project at a New Jersey school.
A summary of 2014 honorees include:
Alabama
Brock’s Gap Intermediate School, Hoover,
F. E. Burleson Elementary School, Hartselle, Homewood Middle School, Homewood.
California
Lowell Elementary School, Long Beach, Mark Twain Elementary School, Long Beach,
San Domenico School, San Anselmo, Encinitas Union School District, Encinitas.
Colorado
Larkspur Elementary School, Larkspur, Lesher Middle School, Fort Collins,
Mesa Elementary School, Cortez, Boulder Valley School District.
Connecticut
Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School, Bridgeport.
Delaware
Red Clay Consolidated School District (RCCSD).
Florida
Broward County Public Schools.
Georgia
Arcado Elementary School, Lilburn, High Meadows School, Roswell.
Illinois
Woodland Primary School, Gages Lake.
Indiana
Carmel High School, Carmel,
St. Thomas Aquinas School, Indianapolis.
Kentucky
Wellington Elementary, Lexington.
Maryland
North Carroll High School, Carroll,
Travilah Elementary School, Potomac.
Massachusetts
Boston Latin School, Boston
Michigan
Renaissance High School, Clarkston,
Lenawee Intermediate School District TECH Center, Adrian.
Minnesota
Chisago Lakes Middle School, Lindstrom,
Five Hawks Elementary School, Prior Lake,
Waconia Public School District.
Nebraska
Fontenelle Elementary, Omaha, Omaha Public School District.
New Jersey
Kellman Brown Academy, Voorhees,
Three Bridges School, Three Bridges.
New Mexico
Amy Biehl Community School, Santa Fe.
New York
Anne Hutchinson Elementary School, Eastchester.
North Carolina
Exploris Middle School, Raleigh.
Ohio
Milton-Union PK- School, West Milton, Ohio
Metro Catholic School, Cleveland, Ohio
West Geauga High School, Chesterland.
Oregon
Jesuit High School, Portland, Willamette High School, Eugene.
Pennsylvania
Council Rock School District.
Rhode Island
Claiborne Pell Elementary School, Newport,
The Greene School, Greenwich.
Vermont
Camels Hump Middle School, Richmond, Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg,
Lake Region Union High School, Orleans.
Washington
Bertschi School, Seattle, Wash.
Shadow Lake Elementary, Maple Valley, Wash.
Vancouver Public Schools.
West Virginia
Cameron Middle-High School, Cameron W.V.
Eastwood Elementary School, Morgantown.
Wisconsin
Conserve School, Land O’ Lakes,
Hurley K- School, Hurley,
Park Elementary School, Cross Plains,
Tomorrow River Community Charter School, Amherst,
Greendale School District.
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Make sure to see the article titled, “Comprehensive Green School Information and Resources.” It contains links to over 200 articles covering everything you need to know about sustainable academics, student’s eco-initiatives, green school buildings, and college rankings as well as a wide range of related information and resources.
