U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

One-time, national-level recognition of schools and districts for innovative and comprehensive achievements across all three of the “Green Schools” pillars: environmental impact, health and wellness, and eco-literacy.

 

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a public engagement initiative for school sustainability that is structured as a federal recognition award. By highlighting schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers’ cost-saving, health promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices, ED-GRS celebrates these institutions and brings more attention to their work. In the state of Missouri, the Missouri Green Schools program serves as the conduit for PreK-12 schools to apply for ED-GRS recognition through a partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. ED-GRS nomination is not currently available for postsecondary institutions in the state of Missouri.

Nerinx Hall High School

Nerinx Hall High School is one of 41 schools, 10 districts, three post-secondary institutions, and one early learning center  across the nation that are being honored as a 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Honoree!  

Patrick Henry Downtown Academy

is one of 26 schools, 11 districts, and four postsecondary institutions across the nation that were honored as a 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Honoree!  

Program Requirements

ED-GRS nominees must show progress in all three of the green schools Pillars:

Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs

  • Reduced or eliminated greenhouse gas emissions, using an energy audit or emissions inventory and reduction plan, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, conservation measures, and/or on-site renewable energy and/or purchase of green power;
  • Improved water quality, efficiency, and conservation;
  • Reduced solid and hazardous waste production through increased recycling, reduced consumption, and improved management, reduction, or elimination of hazardous waste; and
  • Expanded use of alternative transportation, through active promotion of locally-available, energy-efficient and renewable energy options and implementation of alternative transportation supportive projects and policies.

Improved Health and Wellness

Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education

  • Interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between dynamic environmental, energy, and human systems;
  • Use of the environment and sustainability to develop STEM content knowledge and thinking skills to prepare graduates for the 21st century technology-driven economy; and
  • Development of civic engagement knowledge and skills and students’ application of such knowledge and skills to address sustainability and environmental issues in their community.

Each state is limited to five PreK–12 school or district nominations per year. If more than two schools or districts are nominated, at least one must serve at least 40 percent of students from a disadvantaged background. No more than one of the five nominees may be a private school. A school or district may be selected as an honoree only once. 

Application Process

 

PreK-12 schools in Missouri interested in being considered for ED-GRS must be enrolled in Missouri Green Schools (MGS).

1. Begin by reaching out to MGS staff to indicate your interest in applying and to discuss next steps.

2. If not yet enrolled in MGS, fill out the MGS Enrollment Form.

3. Complete the ED-GRS Missouri application materials and submit to MGS staff by the annual deadline in January. Applications should include clear, specific and well-articulated accomplishments across all three green schools pillars; illuminate the pillars’ connection to the school’s vision and mission; highlight innovative approaches (given a particular school’s circumstances); and include at least ten action photos of students involved in green practices.

4. All candidates’ nomination materials are then reviewed and select candidates are brought forward to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for nomination to the U.S. Department of Education in February.

5. U.S. Department of Education reviews all nominations and selects honorees. Honorees are announced in April.

Honorees

Honorees are announced each spring and invited to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in the summer where they receive an award plaque; are the subject of media attention; and feel their efforts celebrated. Other schools, in turn, learn about and adopt their practices. 

School District of University City

As educators, we owe it to our students and our local and global community to be as responsive to and appreciative of the environment as possible. The environment includes our social-emotional well-being and support. Yes, racial equity matters! Our youth will be tasked with the restoration of our living planet while solving very real issues of scarcity, sustainability, and racially unjust systems. The Green Ribbon School designation is an honor that speaks to us and the future holistic wellness.”

– Dr. Sharonica Hardin-Bentley, Superintendent

Principia School

“We are so thankful to have received this award as it has allowed us to celebrate our accomplishments in integrating sustainability into our curriculum and practices. This process has also increased our intentionality around ways in which we can improve our practices moving forward as there is always more to learn and to do.”

– Lynne Scott, Principia Sustainability Coordinator

Flance Early Learning Center

“It’s an honor to be one of only three early education centers in the country to receive this distinction. We’re striving to be a beacon in North St. Louis, not just for quality early childhood education, but also sustainability, community, and equity. The US Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Award serves as an inspiring indication that, while our work is not done, we’re making great strides towards becoming that beacon.”

– Evan Fowler, Flance ELC board member

Case Studies

Nurturing the Young as a Catalyst for Healthy Communities – Flance ELC

Creative Collaboration – Sunrise School

Bench Marking and Goal Setting – Parkway School District

Student Leadership in Sustainability Education – Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School