Schools nationwide get federal recognition for being green

As the movement to go “green” continues to strengthen and grow, the U.S. Department of Education has also set its sights on environmental issues. For the first time ever, the Education Department has named its list of Green Ribbon Schools as a result. Seventy-eight K-12 schools in 29 states were given the distinction via the federal program that began back in September 2011. Green Ribbon schools are recognized for reducing their green footprint, having a green environment, and “a high-quality environmental and outdoor education” that educates students on sustainability concepts and prepares them for green jobs.

“Schools that take a green approach cut costs on their utility bills, foster healthy and productive classrooms, and prepare students to thrive in the 21st-century economy,” said Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “These Green Ribbon School award winners are taking outstanding steps to educate tomorrow’s environmental leaders, and demonstrating how sustainability and environmental awareness make sense for the health of our students and our country.”

Approximately 50 percent of the schools recognized are identified as high poverty; with 66 being public institutions, while 12 are private schools and 8 are charters. Of the 78 schools recognized, 43 serve elementary students, 31 were middle schools and 26 were high schools.   

Green Ribbon schools are also recognized for their committment to health and education, especially as it relates to the environment and issues like air pollution and quality.

“These Green Ribbon Schools are giving students and educators what they need to maximize learning and minimize risks like asthma and other respiratory illnesses, ensuring that no child is burdened by pollution in or around their school,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Today’s winners are protecting our children’s health and opening up environmental education opportunities for students. The EPA is proud to help recognize the Green Ribbon award winners and will continue working to improve the environment of our nation’s schools and helping prepare students to succeed in the emerging green economy.”

State agencies are encouraged to submit their intentions to nominate a school via email by June 15, 2012. Below is a list of the 2012 Green Ribbon schools.

Alabama

• Munford Elementary School
  Munford, Alabama
• Winterboro High School
  Talladega, Alabama

Arizona

• The STAR School
  Flagstaff, Arizona
• Roadrunner Elementary School
  Phoenix, Arizona

Arkansas

• Acorn High School
  Mena, Arkansas

California

• Longfellow Elementary School
  Long Beach, California
• Environmental Charter High School
  Lawndale, California
• Grand View Elementary School
  Manhattan Beach, California
• The Athenian School
  Danville, California

Colorado

• Flagstone Elementary School
  Castle Rock, Colorado
• Denver Green School
  Denver, Colorado
• Wellington Middle School
  Wellington, Colorado

District of Columbia

• Stoddert Elementary School
  Washington, DC
• Sidwell Friends Middle School
  Washington, DC

Florida

• Learning Gate Community School
  Lutz, Florida
• Pine Jog Elementary School
  West Palm Beach, Florida
• TERRA Environmental Research Institute
  Miami, Florida

Georgia

• Springdale Park Elementary School
  Atlanta, Georgia
• Arabia Mountain High School
  Lithonia, Georgia
• Savannah Country Day School
  Savannah, Georgia

Hawaii

• Ewa Makai Middle School
  Ewa Beach, Hawaii
• Hawaii Preparatory Academy
  Kamuela, Hawaii

Illinois

• Academy for Global Citizenship
  Chicago, Illinois
• Thomas J. Waters Elementary School
  Chicago, Illinois
• Prairie Crossing Charter School
  Grayslake, Illinois

Iowa

• Des Moines Central Campus High School
  Des Moines, Iowa

Kansas

• Eisenhower High School
  Goddard, Kansas
• Erie High School
  Erie, Kansas
• Brookwood Elementary
  Leawood, Kansas

Kentucky

• Rosa Parks Elementary School
  Lexington, Kentucky
• Georgetown Middle School
  Georgetown, Kentucky
• Richardsville Elementary School
  Bowling Green, Kentucky

Maryland

• Dunloggin Middle School
  Ellicott City, Maryland
• Francis Scott Key Middle School
  Silver Spring, Maryland
• Folger McKinsey Elementary School
  Severna Park, Maryland
• Lucy School
  Middletown, Maryland

Michigan

• Clarkston High School
  Clarkston, Michigan
• Detroit Edison Public School Academy
  Detroit, Michigan

Minnesota

• North Shore Community School
  Duluth, Minnesota
• Garlough Environmental Magnet School
  West St. Paul, Minnesota
• Kennedy Community School
  Saint Joseph, Minnesota

Missouri

• Crossroads College Preparatory School
  St. Louis, Missouri
• The College School
  St. Louis, Missouri

Nebraska

• Lothrop Science & Technology Magnet Center
  Omaha, Nebraska
• Miller Park Elementary
  Omaha, Nebraska

New Jersey

• Bernards High School
  Bernardsville, New Jersey
• Midtown Community Elementary School
  Neptune, New Jersey
• Adler Avenue Middle School
  Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
• The Willow School
  Gladstone, New Jersey

New York

• Hampton Bays Middle School
  Hampton Bays, New York
• Sleepy Hollow Middle School
  Sleepy Hollow, New York
• Bethlehem Central Middle School
  Delmar, New York

North Carolina

• Evergreen Community Charter School
  Asheville, North Carolina
• American Hebrew Academy
  Greensboro, North Carolina

North Dakota (Bureau of Indian Education)

• Circle of Nations
  Wahpeton, North Dakota

Ohio

• Loveland High School
  Loveland, Ohio
• North Adams Elementary School
  Seaman, Ohio

Oregon

• Sunnyside Environmental School
  Portland, Oregon
• Willamina Elementary School
  Willamina, Oregon
• Gladstone High School
  Gladstone, Oregon
• Catlin Gable School
  Portland, Oregon

Pennsylvania

• Radnor Middle School
  Wayne, Pennsylvania
• Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School
  Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
• A.W. Beattie Career Center
  Allison Park, Pennsylvania
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

• Classical High School
  Providence, Rhode Island
• Nathan Bishop Middle School
  Providence, Rhode Island

Virginia

• Fishburn Park Elementary School
  Roanoke, Virginia
• The Gereau Center for Applied Technology & Career Exploration
  Rocky Mount, Virginia

Washington

• Tahoma Junior High School
  Ravensdale, Washington
• Camelot Elementary School
  Auburn, Washington
• Secondary Academy for Success
  Bothell, Washington
• The Overlake School
  Redmond, Washington

West Virginia

• Hilltop Elementary School
  Wheeling, West Virginia
• Wyoming County Career & Technical Center
  Pineville, West Virginia

Wisconsin

• Dimensions of Learning Academy
  Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Middleton High School
  Middleton, Wisconsin
• Purdy Elementary SchoolFort Atkinson, Wisconsin