Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and School Principals:

California Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Program 2023–24 Request for Applications

The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce the opportunity to honor your environmental literacy and sustainability efforts while spotlighting replicable best practices through our California Green Ribbon Schools recognition program. Applications are now available for the eleventh cycle of the program.

Starting the application process is a great way for your schools to be recognized for work already underway! Join the 99 public schools, 36 school districts, and three county offices of education across the state leading the way in whole-school sustainability.

Eligible award recipients include school districts, county offices of education, kindergarten through grade twelve public and private schools, and early education centers. Interested parties may request an electronic application and review program information on the CDE Green Ribbon Schools Award Program web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/greenribbonprog.asp. While California Green Ribbon Schools awards are not limited in number, five honorees will earn a nomination for additional recognition by the Secretary of Education as U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools and District Sustainability Award honorees.

Past honorees report these benefits from participation in the program:

• Reduced student illness and absenteeism
• Industry exposure and opportunities for students to build job-related skills
• Making informed and environmentally responsible infrastructure decisions
• Improved academic outcomes, especially in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields

Interested applicants should first complete the CDE 2023–24 Application Interest Survey at https://surveys3.cde.ca.gov/s.asp?k=168428224687 [NOTE: the survey is closed]. Schools and districts that complete the survey will receive a school or district application to complete online. The survey and the online application period will close at noon PST on October 27, 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact the California Green Ribbon Schools team at greenribbonschools@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction