Green Ribbon Schools

The US Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Program is a comprehensive recognition program that celebrates schools that have made significant achievements towards:

• Increasing environmental and sustainability literacy
• Reducing the school's environmental footprint
• Creating a healthy community for students and staff

Schools are evaluated based on their progress towards these concepts and a wide variety of green benchmarks including zero greenhouse gas emissions, food that is locally sourced and sustainable, and curriculum that ensures all students are environmentally literate and civic minded.

How are schools selected for recognition?
Schools that wish to be considered should complete Washington’s Green Ribbon Schools Application. Applications are due no later than 5:00 pm on February 15, 2012. Completed applications will be reviewed by a statewide selection committee and scored according to Washington's scoring matrix. Up to four nominees may be selected as state finalists.

State finalists are asked to provide some additional information and are forwarded to the US Department of Education for consideration. The US DOE will announce national award recipients in April 2012.

Who can apply to become a Green Ribbon School?
All schools are eligible to apply including public, private and independent schools.

How are Green Ribbon Schools recognized?
State finalists and national award recipients are honored at several statewide events over the course of a year, receive a custom award that they can display with pride in their building and become part of a cadre of green leaders in the state. National award recipients are invited to attend the award ceremony in Washington DC.

What if my school doesn’t meet all of the benchmarks?
The benchmarks of the Green Ribbon Schools program are extremely ambitious. Very few schools will be able to achieve all of them. Schools that feel they meet some of the benchmarks and are making significant and concrete progress towards meeting others are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, please contact Washington’s program coordinator Gilda Wheeler.