Award honors schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions for reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness, offering effective sustainability education.
Published: May 9, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.
In Alabama, Hoover High School in Hoover was named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.
Across the country, 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions, and one early learning center are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and offer effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 24 states. Half of this year’s honorees are located in underserved communities.
In addition, one state education official is recognized with the Director’s Award. This year, it is George Garcia of the California Department of Education.
“This year’s U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools are leading school transformation in states that will help ensure all students in all communities have the opportunity to grow to become strong and healthy learners,” says U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “This year’s awardees range from early learning centers to postsecondary institutions. Notably, half are located in under-resourced communities. These awards represent thousands of students, and countless hours of hard work in schools and on college campuses, ensuring equitable access to healthy, climate-resilient learning environments where students are prepared for the sustainability challenges of the present and future.”
In addition, this spring, the Department launched a new publication series, ED Infrastructure and Sustainability Notes, highlighting key sustainability concepts and practices of schools across the nation in brief form. Consult the first several Notes on the ED Infrastructure and Sustainability page, under resources: Framework for a Sustainable School, The Education Sector in Climate Action, School Environmental Justice as Social Justice, How School Operations Affect the Environment, and School Grounds and the Outdoors.
Learn more about the federal recognition award. Find resources for all schools to move towards sustainable school practices. Consult the list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages with documentation of their progress in the award criteria. Read a report with highlights on the 56 honorees.