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.
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
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.
2024 Honoree
2023 Honoree
2022 Honorees
- School District of University City – Public – University City
- Principia School – Private – St. Louis
2021 Honoree
2020 Honorees
- Mary Institute Country Day School – Private -St. Louis
- Parkway School District – Public – St. Louis
- Sunrise School – Public – DeSoto
2019 Honorees
- Claymont Elementary – Public – St. Louis
- Herculaneum High School – Public – St. Louis
- Highcroft Ridge Elementary – Public – St. Louis
- Raintree – Private – St. Louis
2018 Honorees
- Bellerive Elementary – Public – St. Louis
- Green Trails Elementary – Public – St. Louis
- St. Louis University High – Private – St. Louis
- W. W. Keysor Elementary – Public – St. Louis
2017 Honorees
- Maplewood Richmond Heights Middle School – Public – Maplewood
- McKelvey Elementary – Public – Maryland Heights
- Parkway North High School – Public – St. Louis
2013 – 2016 Honorees
Missouri did not participate in the Green Ribbon Schools Program