Green Ribbon Schools
Contact Information
Environment and Sustainability Education
The U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Program celebrates schools and districts making significant progress towards:
- Pillar 1: Reducing environmental impact and costs.
- Pillar 2: Improving the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff.
- Pillar 3: Providing effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.
2022-2023 Applications
Washington applications will open for the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) Recognition Program again this Fall!
Applcations for 2022-2023 are subject to change but will require the same essential elements.
Please feel free to use the following forms, from 2021-22, to begin planning for next year's application:
Frequently Asked Questions
Public, private schools and public districts are eligible.
Schools and districts complete an online application. A state committee scores completed applications. The state may nominate up to five schools or districts. Public and private schools are eligible to apply. The state committee also selects schools and districts that excel in one or more of the pillars as Washington State Green School and District leaders.
Schools can answer the application with data and information based on the 2017-2020 school years - information is not required to be from facilities for the 2020-2021/ 2021-2022 school year. In fact, most schools and districts that receive the award do so by demonstrating systemic and sustained practices.
OSPI forwards state finalists to the U.S. Department of Education (ED). ED chooses national award recipients from this group.
State finalists and national award recipients may attend several statewide events, will receive an award, and join a state team of green leaders. ED invites national award recipients to a ceremony in Washington DC.
The Green Ribbon Schools program is ambitious. You should apply if you meet some benchmarks and are making significant progress towards meeting others. There are two levels of awards: the National Green Ribbon Schools Award program and the state Green Leader awards. If you do not meet all the benchmarks for the Green Ribbon Schools award, you may still be eligible for the Washington State Green Leader award.
Green Ribbon Schools Local Sponsor
Green Ribbon Schools Partners
