Award Honors Schools, Districts, and Postsecondary Institutions for Reducing Environmental Impact and Costs, Improving Health and Wellness, Offering Effective Sustainability Education

The U.S. Department of Education today released the names of the 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.

Across the country, 27 schools, three early learning centers, five districts, and five 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. 

Three state education officials, Joseph DaSilva, Manuel Cordero, and Mario Carreno, at the Rhode Island Department of Education School Building Authority are also being recognized for their efforts to advance school sustainability.

"The pandemic has driven home the vital importance of school buildings and grounds; health and wellness; and hands-on authentic learning," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.  "I congratulate the selected schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions, which are, through their sustainability practices, offering healthy, safe, efficient school environments and protecting our planet.  Not surprisingly, many of our honorees support students in underserved communities, proving once again that green schools' practices, encompassing best practices school operations, health, and environmental learning, are critical tools to advance equity."

The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 20 states. The selectees include 24 public schools – among them, five charter schools and one magnet school – as well as three nonpublic schools. Over half of the 2021 honorees are in communities where over 40 percent of the student body are eligible for free and reduced lunch.  

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 40 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here. 

Following is the list of 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees:

• AL – Tuscaloosa – Tuscaloosa City Schools, Category: District.
• CA – Hillsborough – The Nueva School, Category: School.
• CA – Indio – Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, Category: School.
• CA – Los Altos – Los Altos High School, Category: School.
• CA – Perris – May Ranch Elementary School, Category: School.
• CA – Westminster – Fryberger Elementary School, Category: School.
• DC – Washington – C. Bilingual Public Charter School, Category: School.
• DC – Washington – Francis Scott Key Elementary School, Category: School.
• FL – Jacksonville – Christ the King Catholic School, Category: School.
• IL – Winfield – Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Category: School.
• IN – Indianapolis – Paramount Brookside, Category: School.
• IN – Porter – Discovery Charter School, Category: School.
• KY – Lexington – The Academies of Bryan Station High School, Category: School.
• KY – Paducah – West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Category: Postsecondary Institution.
• LA – Hammond – Southeastern Louisiana University, Category: Postsecondary Institution.
• MO – Louis – Flance Early Learning Center, Category: Early Learning Center.
• NC – Cary – Wake County Public School System, Category: District.
• NC – Wilmington – C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, Category: School.
• NC – Wilmington – University of North Carolina Wilmington, Category: Postsecondary Institution.
• NC – Wrightsville Beach – Wrightsville Beach Elementary School, Category: School.
• NE – Blair – Gerald Otte-Blair Middle School, Category: School.
• NE – Newman Grove – Newman Grove Public Schools, Category: District.
• NJ – Atco – Winslow Township Middle School, Category: School.
• NJ – Jackson – Switlik Elementary School, Category: School.
• NY – Brooklyn – PS90 The Magnet School for Environmental Studies and Community Wellness, Category: School.
• NY – Ithaca – New Roots Charter School, Category: School.
• NY – Scarsdale – Scarsdale Middle School, Category: School.
• OH – Cincinnati – James N. Gamble Montessori High School, Category: School.
• PA – Bethlehem – Lehigh University, Category: Postsecondary Institution.
• PA – Gibsonia – Hance Elementary School, Category: School.
• PA – Harrisburg – Commonwealth Charter Academy, Category: School.
• RI – Barrington – Barrington Middle School, Category: School.
• RI – Portsmouth – Portsmouth School Department, Category: District.
• UT – Ogden – Shadow Valley Elementary School, Category: School.
• VA – Manassas – Prince William County Public Schools, Category: District.
• WA – Anderson Island – Anderson Island Elementary, Category: School.
• WI – Madison – University of Wisconsin-Madison, Category: Postsecondary Institution.
• WI – Milwaukee – Clement Avenue School, Category: School.
• WI – Milwaukee – Starms Early Childhood, Category: Early Learning Center.
• WI – Stevens Point – Helen R. Godfrey University Child Learning and Care Center, Category: Early Learning Center.