“As we continue to teach about sustainability, it’s exciting to see students gain a deeper understanding of how we are all connected – not just to each other, but to ALL living things above the ground and below it too!”

Jeanne Fernandez, Bridgeway Elementary

“We are finally starting to notice the impact that we are having on our student body.   Sustainability thinking is starting to work its way into the mindset of our administration, faculty and student body.  Honest conversations around sustainability are becoming more common and less threatening as more of us begin to understand the complexity and interwovenness around these issues.”

Mark Laury, Chaminade College Preparatory School

“At Crestwood, we are building sustainability knowledge through education and hands-on activities. Our Environmental Club and Garden Leaders have been the backbone of bringing students, families, and the community together for substantial environmental impact. We hope students take these experiences and knowledge with them, to continue to be positive changemakers in the world around them.”

Jaclyn Jezik, Crestwood Elementary School

“Sustainability and nature connection have been part of Forsyth School’s culture for many years, and it is rewarding to see how the concept of reciprocity has grown over time. Faculty and staff recently engaged in a yearlong professional development program that led to the creation of our own definition and principles of sustainability. Students continue to lead service-oriented projects that help make the world a better place. Forsyth’s family organization has established a sustainability committee to help reduce waste during school events. While Forsyth continues to empower children to be global citizens, we take pride in our local, everyday actions to live more lightly on planet Earth.”

Susan Zareh, Forsyth School

“Members of the Forsyth School community strive to be better caretakers of the Earth with the help of the Missouri Green School’s sustainability suggestions. Last year, students led these efforts with their enthusiasm and developing knowledge through the Waste Ambassador group as well as through a “turn the lights off campaign.”

–Susan Zareh, Grade 6 Math Teacher and Sustainability Specialist, and Christine Torlina, Early Childhood Science Specialist, Forsyth School, Independent. St. Louis, MO

“The students at Hixson Middle School continue to work diligently to make positive changes to our building and community. They are always on the lookout for ways to make a positive contribution. One example of this includes how the students have continued with our classroom recycling initiative and are working to develop a plan to add in steps to reduce cafeteria food waste to make an even larger impact for our building.” Eric Hayes, Hixson Middle School

– Eric Hayes, Hixson Middle School

“Nerinx Hall is incredibly proud to have achieved Level 4 (Sapling) status with Missouri Green Schools. This accomplishment reflects years of dedication from the entire Nerinx community and exemplifies our Loretto value of caring for the earth. By reducing energy use, water consumption and waste, and by fostering a culture of sustainability, we continue to honor our mission of environmental stewardship. Reaching this milestone has truly been a community effort, and we are excited to keep growing.”

Dr. Molly Grumich, Principal, Nerinx Hall High School

“At Normandy Early Learning Center, our mission is to provide an environment filled with exploration, excitement, and engaging, hands-on learning with real world connections for our students. Missouri Green Schools provides support that directly ties in with our mission, so we are of course excited and proud to be part of the green schools community!”

Sandra Davie, Normandy Early Childhood Center

“Taking ownership in the care of our school environment means that we learn and teach values and skills to take home and into the community to help us obtain a world of security and tranquility, enabling us to BE the best version of ourselves in the best version of our world.”

Melanie Gomez, Northeast Middle School

“Parkway North is excited to develop a team that can lead our sustainability initiatives for years to come! Right now we are talking to interested staff members and reaching out to personnel at the district level to help us pursue our goals of sustainability going forward.”

Erin Derenbecher, Parkway North High School

“At Patrick Henry Downtown Academy, we are committed to the holistic well-being of our scholars. Our scholars strive every day to care for their social-emotional needs, school environment, and the world around us. We incorporate daily movement into our routines, tend to our school garden and manage waste responsibly. Our staff and scholars are proud and continue to be excited to be a part of Missouri Green Schools. We will continue to strive toward excellence and to be change agents in making the world a healthier, greener place.” Dr. Chavon Curry, Principal, Patrick Henry Downtown Academy

– Dr. Chavon Curry, Principal, Patrick Henry Downtown Academy

“Education for sustainability is broad and diverse in what it can look like; it’s heartening to see the many ways students are engaging with the ideas and how the faculty are leaning in. While there is always room to grow, it’s been a joy to see how Principia’s culture of continuous improvement transfers to the integration of sustainability throughout our curriculum.”

Lynne Scott, Principia School

“The Missouri Green Schools program has been a great way for the 4th and 5th grades at St. Francis of Assisi School to conduct investigations about energy at our school. We have discussed where energy comes from, how it gets to the school, and what we do with it. They have been able to do some investigation work on how much energy is used by different equipment at the school from a Raspberry Pi microcomputer to a Chromebook to a desktop PC. This work has led to conversations about sustainability and conservation with our students. We are working to expand to campus-wide energy use this year.”

Mike Herries, St. Francis of Assisi School

“Empowering, educating, and elevating young women’s voices to shape a sustainable future is woven into the fabric of our community. We believe that the female perspective is to be valued and that the female voice is the catalyst necessary to enact change in our world. Missouri Green Schools provides Saint Teresa’s Academy with the resources and structure we need to keep working toward increased sustainability.”

–Sarah Holmes, St. Teresa’s Academy

“At The Summit Preparatory School, the launch of our outdoor education initiative and pursuit of MGS recognition underscores the importance of green schools in fostering a sustainable future. By integrating nature into learning, we cultivate environmental stewardship and awareness, inspire curiosity, and promote well-being, empowering students to become thoughtful, eco-conscious leaders. As an organization, we are excited to pursue this opportunity and partner with MGS in this important work.”

Katie Heet, Head of School, The Summit Preparatory School

“Inherent in Montessori is the deep consideration of the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living organisms. The scientifically developed, hands-on curriculum encourages children to explore interdisciplinary concepts related to the environment and analyze including human impact and responsibility. Since the founding of our school in 1967, Villa di Maria has proudly carried forward Dr. Maria Montessori’s original mission of cultivating a sense of stewardship for the natural world and to promote justice and peace.”

Martha Erickson, Villa di Maria Montessori School