
Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School (JMIS) exemplifies environmental leadership and sustainability in action. Serving a diverse student body in the Moraga–Walnut Creek Watersheds, JMIS integrates sustainability across academics, operations, and community engagement, distinguishing itself through rigorous environmental literacy standards, Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)/Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-aligned facilities, and innovative programs such as Jan Term capstone projects that connect Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), civic action, and sustainability. The school fosters deep community collaboration, leveraging multi-stakeholder groups, professional development partnerships, and local agencies to provide hands-on, place-based learning—from creek restorations to biodiversity monitoring and waste-reduction campaigns—while engaging students as active environmental leaders. Sustainability is embedded as a lived experience through outdoor classrooms, edible gardens, renewable-energy projects, and civic engagement programs spanning all grade levels. Students gain practical knowledge in energy, climate, and ecological systems, while participating in service projects that strengthen community resilience and environmental stewardship. Through its comprehensive approach to curriculum, operations, and civic partnership, JMIS cultivates environmentally literate, socially responsible, and community-conscious students prepared to advance long-term sustainability and lead in a changing world.