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Applications of 2012 ED Green Ribbon Schools

ED-GRS in the News
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Coming in July 2012: Updated criteria, framework and resources pages!

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools will recognize schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. The recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education (Department) effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

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 June 15, 2012 via email to green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov.

Schools should contact their state education agency if they wish to be nominated for the 2012-2013 for specific information regarding state applications.

As part of its effort, the Department aims to:

• Facilitate the dissemination of best practices and established metrics regarding energy efficient and cost effective, healthy and environmentally sustainable learning spaces and educational programs, among federal agencies, states, tribes and localities; and
• Achieve these objectives by encouraging the coordination of efforts by the public (at federal, state and local levels), for-profit, and non-profit sectors and among schools themselves.

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, 2.7M]

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.