Two Massachusetts Schools, One District Receive U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School Honors
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 announced the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.
In Massachusetts, two schools were named U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. They include: HEC Academy in Northampton and Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington. The Falmouth Public Schools system in East Falmouth was honored as a District Sustainability Awardee.
MINUTEMAN
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.
HEC Academy
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,” stated 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.”
This announcement comes as the White House hosts the first-ever Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 School Buildings and Grounds from 1-3:30 p.m. ET today. Public and press may tune into the livestream of the program, which will highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equitable access to energy efficient, climate resilient, and healthy school facilities that are conducive to learning and well-being.
The summit brings attention to the pressing need for equitable access to sustainable, 21st century school infrastructure and the impact facilities condition has on student health, overall well-being, and learning outcomes. It also shares federal tools and commitments that bolster sustainable school buildings and infrastructure.
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.