Green Ribbon Schools

In 2011, the Department of Education created the Green Ribbon award to recognize high-performing, safe, and sustainable academic settings.

Written by Peyton Stuart

Across the nation, the US government does its best to recognize the schools that stand above the rest. For high levels of academic achievement and performance, the US Department of Education awards Blue Ribbons, an accolade that has been given out since 1982.

In the modern era, there has been a rise in more than just high performing students, but also high performing buildings. Recently, there has been increased attention given to schools that reduce their impact on the environment, improve the health of students, and integrate effective sustainable education. In 2011, the Department of Education created the Green Ribbon award to recognize these high-performing, safe, and sustainable academic settings.

The Three Pillars

At the federal level, the award looks for schools to embody three different elements of sustainability (organized into pillars).

The first pillar refers to a school’s environmental impact and the associated costs. This can be measured using metrics such as GHG emissions, water usage, energy usage, indoor air quality, etc. Schools should also look at their waste production and how it is handled. Finally, schools should promote energy-efficient modes of transportation via renewable sources (electric buses), safer walking routes, and increased access to bikes.

The second pillar looks at a school’s impact on student health and well-being. This area focuses on nutrition, physical education, counseling, and an improved sense of community in school and at home. Schools can improve their building design and integrate environmental health programs into the classroom.

Finally, the third pillar highlights the importance of effective environmental and sustainability education. Understanding the trends of the 21st century, it is critical that students become active leaders in the climate change movement. Sustainability is fundamental across all subjects and Green Ribbon Schools exemplify what it means to incorporate this interdisciplinary learning. These schools emphasize STEM education and work to mold global citizens that stand for justice and social equity.

Logistics for the Award

Each state and territory may nominate up to 5 pre-k – 12 schools and 1 university/ college for the award annually. Nominations are made based on how each district demonstrates initiative and improvement relevant to the three pillars of the award. There is no cap on the number of Green Ribbon Awards given out nationally.

The award itself can only be given to a school district once. Specifically, the US Department of Education defines the award as “not a certification or benchmarking program... instead, it is a one-time recognition of an institution’s progress in the award’s three sustainability focused pillars." The award is presented with a plaque and media coverage in Washington DC.

Although the award comes with no federal funding, each honoree is able to share their advancements and successes with the Green Strides program created by the US Department of Education. Green Strides connects school communities from around the nation with resources for how to advance their own school in achieving Green Ribbon status. As a commitment to collaboration, Green Strides aims to support each educational contributor with resources for a more sustainable future.

How To Achieve Green Ribbon Status

The Green Ribbon Schools distinction is a difficult accolade to attain. It is competitive and requires a major effort on the school’s part to make such major changes to its identity. In states like Pennsylvania, multiple programs have been enacted to promote small victories and recognize schools that are on their way to achieving the Green Ribbon Schools award.

Pathways to Green Schools – PA Department of Education

Since the creation of the award, Pennsylvania has had Green Ribbon achievers every year – being one of only a few states to have done so. Pennsylvania’s Department of Education created the Pathways to Green Schools program to facilitate an easier journey for schools looking to attain Green Ribbon status. The program splits the pillars up and helps schools work through them one at a time, providing recognition at each step in order to incentivize progress. Specifically, each pillar has a page on the PA Department of Education website with dozens of links to resources, organizations, and programs that can help districts improve. Once an institution has completed all three pillars, the state nominates them as a finalist for the national award.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Education also recognizes schools and higher-level institutions that engage in work revolving around agriculture, climate change, environmental justice and literacy, equity, sustainability, and recycling.

At the school level, sustainable education and healthy learning environments should not be a competition. There is a general understanding that collaboration is the only equitable way to ensure that every school can become green, every student can have a healthy place to learn, and that nobody gets left behind.

Healthy Schools Recognition Program – WHE

Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit aimed at educating communities about the environment. They work to mitigate the risks associated with human health, advocate for more sustainable solutions, and create healthy living and learning environments for students.

To help schools attain Green Ribbon status, WHE created the Healthy Schools Recognition Program. Using a Whole-School Sustainability Framework, the Recognition Program comes with a report card that helps show a school district’s progress over the years. Much like the three pillars of the Green Ribbon Schools program, Healthy Schools focuses on the physical learning environment, the educational program, and the organization’s culture involving sustainability. The checklist report card facilitates progress but also gives schools ideas for sustainable projects.

A Case Study: Spring Ford Area School District

In 2022, Spring Ford Area School District was the only K-12 district in Pennsylvania awarded as a Green Ribbon School. For every winner, the US Department of Education publishes a report detailing the highlights of each institution. Key sustainability strategies that Spring Ford implemented include:

Installation of a geothermal HVAC
Limited school bus idling
LED lighting upgrades
Energy Conservation policy and adoption of Guaranteed Energy Savings Project
Partnership with PECO Smart Energy Usage Tool for accurate and automatic energy use tracking
Use of healthy cleaning products and custodial staff training
Mass recycling
Installation of low flow toilets and water filling stations
Daily, comprehensive cleaning with HEPA filtered vacuums
Use of CMMS preventative maintenance management system and routinely inspecting HVAC equipment for improved indoor air quality
Annual IEQ inspections with an environmental consultant
Implementation of STEM, conservation, and sustainability curricula at all levels
RamQuest program for students K-6 which provides students with authentic, hands-on tasks for solving sustainability issues
Creation of outdoor learning spaces such as their Memorial Arboretum, 7th Grade Center Courtyard, and Limerick Outdoor Classroom
Organization of student clubs focused on sustainability

Read the full report published by the US Department of Education detailing Spring Ford School District's highlights here (PDF).

How Can My School Get Involved?

If your school would like to begin working towards a Green Ribbon Award, becoming a Property Partner in the Pittsburgh or Erie 2030 District is a great way to begin proactively managing energy and water, and training building operators in sustainable building management.

The 2030 District is a free and confidential program that has been helping building owners and managers for more than a decade to collectively reduce energy use and water use by 50% while also improving indoor air quality. Becoming a Property Partner provides schools with free access to Green Building Alliance’s 2030 team for one-on-one support, cohort learning, and customized plans for energy reduction, water reduction, and improved air quality – all of which can support a pathway to becoming a Green Ribbon School.