Fifteen county public schools were recently recertified and one additional school earned its initial Green School status this year, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) has announced.
Under the Green Schools program, schools are recognized for their exemplary work in environmental education, sustainability action, and community engagement, focusing on how the community’s relationship with the environment impacts public health and society and promotes environmental literacy.
Green School status is acquired over a period of approximately two years as schools establish a practical, 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.
The Center of Applied Technology – North is the newest school in the county to achieve the 2021-2022 Maryland Green Schools Status.
Recertification occurs every four years after the initial certification. Jacobsville Elementary School, Riviera Beach Elementary School, and Severn River Middle School earned their third recertification. Freetown Elementary School and Old Mill Middle School South earned their second recertification.
Sustainable schools/centers have demonstrated consistent Green School status for 14 years. Belvedere, Central, Jones, Piney Orchard, Ridgeway, Rolling Knolls elementary schools, and Severna Park High School earned the sustainable school designation this year.
Additionally, Folger McKinsey Elementary School, West Annapolis Elementary School, and the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center (Green Center) earned the Sustainable Bronze level award that demonstrates their continued commitment of 18 years in keeping their schools green.
With 73 schools and centers with Maryland Green School status, about 58 percent of AACPS facilities have completed the challenging process to earn the state’s highest recognition of environmental literacy.
Established 23 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 structures for outdoor learning. After demonstrating sustained environmental action and awareness culture, schools are encouraged to seek recertification every four years.