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

• High standards of Whole School Whole Community, Whole Child health, including health, nutrition, and outdoor physical education; health, counseling, and psychological services for both students and staff; family community involvement; and
• An integrated school environmental health program that considers occupant health and safety in all design, construction, renovation, operations, and maintenance of facilities and grounds.

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

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. 

Case Studies