The U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition award honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), civic skills and green career pathways. The recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education (ED) effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices that are proven to result in improved student engagement, higher academic achievement, and graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government wide goal of increasing energy independence and economic security.
This is a two-step process. The first step is to complete and submit the online application in order to be selected as a state nominee. If your school is selected, you will be asked to complete the second step of the process by providing additional information for the nominee package that will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education.
Application reviews will be based on the applicant's demonstrated progress towards reaching the goals of each of the three ED-GRS Pillars, which are:
- Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs
- Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff
- Pillar III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability literacy, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways
Four items which are important to keep in mind as consideration is given to applying to become a nominee:
- These are ambitious goals and few, if any, schools are expected to have achieved all three, or perhaps even 100% of any of the Pillars.
- Schools demonstrating exemplary achievement in all three Pillars will receive the highest ranking.
- It is important to demonstrate concrete achievement, using quantified measures, wherever possible.
- Additional documents supporting your answers may be requested.
Green Ribbon Schools Award Program Webinar
The California Department of Education, School Facilities and Transportation Services Division hosted the Green Ribbon Schools Award Program Webinar on October 17. 2012.
Green Ribbon Schools Award Webinar, October 17, 2012 Transcript
Green Ribbon Schools Award Program Webinar, October 17, 2012 Presentation Slides (PPT; 3MB)
Accessible alternative version of the Green Ribbons Schools Award Program Webinar, October 17, 2012 Presentation Slides
California Green Ribbon Schools Award Application 2012-2013 (DOC)
California District Sustainability Award 2012-2013 (DOC)
Resources to Assist in the Completion of the Application
Framework
(XLS)
Based on the three Green Ribbon School Pillars and Elements.
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
Civil Rights, Health, Environment, and Safety Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
(DOC)
Additional Resources Provided by the U.S. Department of Education
(DOC)
Frequently Asked Questions Provided by the U.S. Department of Education
California 2012 Green Ribbon Schools Honorees
U.S. Department of Education 2012 Green Ribbon Schools: Highlights From the First-Ever Honorees
(DOC)
Apply by March 31, 2013 to global Green USA's Green School Makeover Contest
Schools can apply online
for a chance to win $75,000 plus approximately $65,000 in technical assistance to implement green renovations on existing school sites. Last year's winner, Texas School for the Deaf, implemented a lighting retrofit, a rainwater collection system, a tap water filtration system, hands-free faucets and dryers in lavatories, recycling binds, and a recycling education program. These projects align well with the Three Pillars of the Green Ribbon Schools Award Program: reduce environmental impact and costs; improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and provide effective environmental and sustainability literacy, incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), civic skills, and green career pathways. The top ten schools nationally will receive Office Depot gift cards in amounts from $1,000 to $5,000.
News Release - 2013 California Green Ribbon Schools and District Nominations
News Release - U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Awards
U.S. Department of Education News Release - Green Ribbon Schools
News Release - California Green Ribbon School Nominations
Cool California
The Cool California Web site
provides resources to all Californians in order to reduce their environmental impact and take action to stop climate change.
