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Green Ribbon Schools
Sen. Patty Murray with Gordon Beck (OSPI) and representatives from the four Green Ribbon Schools
at the awards ceremony in Washington, DC
The U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Program celebrates schools and districts
making significant progress towards:
- Pillar 1: Reducing environmental impact and costs.
- Pillar 2: Improving the health and wellness of students and staff.
- Pillar 3: Providing effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.
Schools and districts complete an online application. A state committee scores completed applications. Up to four schools (three public and one private) and one district may be selected as state finalists. The committee also selects schools that excel in one or more of the pillars as Washington State Green Leader Schools.
OSPI forwards state finalists to the U.S. Department of Education (US-ED). US-ED chooses national award recipients from this group.
The committee uses a variety of green benchmarks. These benchmarks include zero greenhouse gas emissions, serving locally and sustainably sourced food and offering comprehensive outdoor education.
Public, private and independent schools and public districts are eligible.
State finalists and national award recipients attend several statewide events, receive a custom award and join a state team of green leaders. US-ED invites national award recipients to a ceremony in Washington DC.
The Green Ribbon Schools program is ambitious. You should apply if you meet some benchmarks and are making significant progress towards meeting others.
October: OSPI launches application.
January 4: Applications due to OSPI.
February 15: OSPI submits state finalists to US-ED.
April 22: US-ED announces national award recipients.
June 3: US-ED hosts national award ceremony.
June 27: Washington state recognition celebration.
For more information, please contact Washington’s program coordinator Gilda Wheeler.
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