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# U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Announced

# U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Announced

April 20, 2023

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        *Award Honors Schools, Districts, and  Postsecondary Institutions for Reducing Environmental Impact and Costs, Improving  Health and Wellness, Offering Effective Sustainability Education*
Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced the  2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability  Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.

  Across the country, 26 schools, 11 districts, and four  postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to  reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and  ensure effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool  of candidates nominated by 18 states. Notably, two-thirds of this year’s  honorees are located in disadvantaged communities.     In addition, one state education official is  recognized with the Director’s Award. This year, it is Alexandria Roe of the  University of Wisconsin System.

  The challenges posed both by the pandemic and by climate  change have driven home the importance of modernizing school facilities,  embracing sustainability, prioritizing health and wellness, and improving  learning conditions for students, especially in underserved communities, said  U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Our 2023 U.S. Department of  Education Green Ribbon Schools have raised the bar for sustainable practices, energy  efficiency, health and wellness, and hands-on learning experiences that enhance  students problem-solving skills and foster a sense of environmental  stewardship and civic responsibility. I want to congratulate the educators,  school leaders, students, families, and advocates engaged in this work for  showing the nation that any school in any community can strive to be a green  school, and in doing so, empower the next generation to build a healthier, more  equitable, and more sustainable nation.”

  The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges,  and universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with  highlights on the 41 honorees can be found here. Eligibility,  including the “Three Pillars” of the award, can be found here. More information  on the federal recognition award is here. Resources for all  schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here.  

  In related infrastructure and sustainability news, in the  recent omnibus appropriations bill, the Department was authorized funding to  administer two programs related to school infrastructure that will address  sustainable schools practices. These are: 1) a state capacity building program  that will bolster several of the lowest capacity states in school facilities  to, in turn, support their highest-need school districts; and 2) a national  technical assistance center for school infrastructure that will support  high-need districts across the nation. In both of these programs, healthy,  safe, sustainable, 21st century school facilities and grounds that support high  quality learning will be guiding tenants.  

  In addition, the Department is engaging the non- and  for-profit private sectors by leading an infrastructure and sustainability  challenge, encouraging partners to make commitments to supporting  healthy, sustainable, equitable school infrastructure, environmental education,  and bold environmental justice and climate goals in schools that the Department  will then promote in order to inspire additional commitments.    Following is the list of 2023 U.S. Department of  Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and  Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees:  
- AL – Hoover –  Shades Mountain Elementary School ,       Category: School.  
- AL – Gulf Shores –  Gulf Shores City Schools ,       Category: District.  
- CA – Carlsbad –  Jefferson Elementary School ,       Category: School.  
- CA – Lake Forest –  Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary       School , Category: School.  
- CA – Redwood City –  Redwood High School ,       Category: School.  
- CA – San Jose –  Bellarmine College Preparatory ,       Category: School.  
- CA – Moreno Valley –  Moreno Valley Unified School       District , Category: District.  
- CT – Southport –  Mill Hill Elementary School ,       Category: School.  
- DC – Washington –  Frances L. Cardozo Education       Campus , Category: School.   
- DC – Washington –  Georgetown University ,       Category: Postsecondary Institution.   
- FL – Orlando –  Arbor Ridge K8 School ,       Category: School.   
- FL – Orlando –  Stone Lakes Elementary School ,       Category: School.   
- FL – Orlando –  Oak Ridge High School ,       Category: School.   
- FL – Miami –  Palmer Trinity School ,       Category: School.   
- IL – Mount Prospect –  Prairie Trails School ,       Category: Early Learning.   
- IL – Algonquin –  Huntley Community School District       158 , Category: District.   
- IN – Carmel –  Carmel Clay Schools ,       Category: District.   
- IN – Lafayette –  Purdue University ,       Category: Postsecondary Institution.   
- IA – Iowa City –  Iowa City Community School       District , Category: District.   
- KY – Lexington –  Cardinal Valley Elementary ,       Category: School.   
- KY – Danville –  Mary G. Hogsett Primary School ,       Category: School.   
- LA – Baton Rouge –  Park Forest Elementary Creative       Sciences & Arts Magnet School , Category:       School.   
- MD – Windsor Mill –  Watershed Public Charter School ,       Category: School.   
- MD – Centreville –  Queen Anne’s County Public       Schools , Category: District.   
- MA – Boston –  Boston Public Schools ,       Category: District.   
- MO – St. Louis –  Patrick Henry Downtown Academy ,       Category: School.   
- PA – Chadds Ford –  Hillendale Elementary School ,       Category: School.   
- PA – Coal Center –  California Area School District ,       Category: District.   
- PA – West Chester –  West Chester University ,       Category: Postsecondary Institution.   
- RI – East Providence –  East Providence High School ,       Category: School.   
- RI – Jamestown –  Jamestown School Department ,       Category: District.   
- VA – Leesburg –  Little Tree Huggers Preschool ,       Category: Early Learning.   
- VA – Woodbridge –  Freedom High School ,       Category: School.   
- WA – Gig Harbor –  Pioneer Elementary School ,       Category: School.   
- WA – Puyallup –  Chief Leschi Schools ,       Category: District.   
- WI – Milwaukee –  Browning Elementary School ,       Category: School.   
- WI – Eagle –  Eagleview Elementary Charter       School , Category: School.   
- WI – Fitchburg –  Forest Edge Elementary School ,       Category: School.   
- WI – Milwaukee –  Tamarack Waldorf School ,       Category: School.   
- WI – De Pere –  Unified School District of De       Pere , Category: District.   
- WI – Platteville –  University of Wisconsin       Platteville , Category: Postsecondary Institution.
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