Thirteen public schools from across Anne Arundel County recently earned Green School certifications from the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). The schools are recognized for their exemplary work in environmental education, sustainability action, and community engagement.
Green school status is acquired over the course of about two years as schools establish an effective, proactive environmental program that includes getting the entire community involved in becoming more environmentally conscious. Successful schools integrate “green” thinking into every aspect of the school experience, from staff professional development to community celebrations. Ferndale Early Childhood Center, Brooklyn Park Middle School and Hillsmere and Seven Oaks elementary schools earned certifications for the first time.
Recertification occurs every four years after the initial certification. Marley Glen School, South River and Southern high schools, and Cape St. Claire, Germantown, Oak Hill, and Overlook elementary schools earned recertification.
Sustainable schools/centers demonstrate consistent green school status for 14 years. Broadneck High School and Mayo Elementary School earned sustainable school designations this year.
With 80 schools and centers with Maryland Green School status, about 62 percent of AACPS facilities have completed the challenging process to earn the state’s highest recognition of environmental literacy.
Established 21 years ago, the Maryland Green School Program celebrates Maryland’s model environmental education efforts as seen through extensive projects that address at least four of the following areas: energy, water, waste, habitat restoration, transportation, healthy school environment, and/or structures for outdoor learning. After demonstrating a sustained culture of environmental action and awareness, schools are encouraged to seek recertification every four years.