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The U.S. Department of Education 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 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.

Whats New

• Highlights from the 2012 Honorees MS Word (437K)
• States Intending to Nominate Schools in 2013
• ED-GRS in the News MS Word (160K)

NOTE: Only state education agencies can nominate schools.

State education agencies are encouraged to indicate their intent to nominate schools for the 2012-2013 year competition to USED by August 30, 2012 via email to green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov.

Schools that wish to be nominated should contact their state education agency for state application deadlines and further information.

As part of this effort, ED aims to:

• Facilitate the dissemination of best practices and standards regarding energy efficient, cost effective, healthy, and environmentally sustainable schools and educational programs among states, tribes, districts, and schools; and
• Encourage the coordination of efforts among the public sector (at federal, state and local levels), the for-profit and non-profit sectors, and schools. Annually, ED recognizes schools and districts creating efficient, sustainable, and healthy school environments, and ensuring the environmental and sustainability literacy of graduates.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Department will recognize schools where staff, students, officials and communities have worked together to produce energy efficient, sustainable and healthy school environments and to ensure the sustainability and environmental literacy of graduates.

• Fact Sheet [PDF, 168K]
• Green Ribbon Schools Overview [MS PowerPoint, 1.67M]

Please note:
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools is a federal recognition award and should not be confused with any green schools program conducted by non-governmental entities.