US Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Program 2014 Sustainability Awardees

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.