Green Ribbon Schools Award Program

The U.S Department of Education (ED) created the Green Ribbon Schools Award in 2012 to highlight and honor schools, school districts, and institutes of higher education for their achievements in the areas of environmental impacts, improving health and wellness, and overall resource efficiency and sustainability. Green Ribbon Schools have showcased their ability to not only reduce environmental costs, but also improve student engagement, academic achievement, and workforce preparedness.

To become a Green Ribbon School, schools must complete an application process. ED reviews an applicant’s demonstrated progress in reaching the goals of three separate pillars:

• Pillar 1: Reduce environmental impacts and costs;
• Pillar 2: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
• Pillar 3: Provide effective environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), civic skills, and green career pathways.

Schools can apply to the California Department of Education (“CDE”) to be nominated as a Green Ribbon School. The CDE can nominate up to five schools or districts and they will work closely with each school to submit their nominee presentation forms and package for ED’s consideration.

The Green Ribbon Schools Application Timeline is:

• Complete the 2024-2025 Application interest survey, and submit the online application by November 4, 2024;
• CDE must submit its nominations to ED by February 14, 2025;
• ED usually announces national honorees on Earth Day, April 22, 2025.

CDE recommends that interested schools do the following for their applications:

• Review prior application from awardees for inspiration;
• Focus on: (1) the number of students impacted, (2) longevity of achievement, and (3) substantive evidence demonstrating vivid descriptions to paint the picture for reviewers;
• There are different reviewers for each pillar section of the application. Applicants should restate any important achievements or information specific to each pillar; and
• Complete the entire application. Schools can still receive partial credit for any developing achievements.

Awardees are nationally recognized as some of America’s most successful educational institutions and are featured for their hard work and devotion to becoming a “green school.”  The award allows for an increase in networks with other awardees, opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, and can help inspire environmentally safe and sustainability practices in students and communities.