MCPS Adds Four New Green Schools; 26 Schools and One Center Recertify
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School, Cabin John Middle School, and Albert Einstein and James Hubert Blake high schools have been named 2024 Maryland Green Schools, bringing the MCPS total to 101.
Staff and students went above and beyond to complete the requirements for recertification: 26 Green Schools successfully recertified this year to retain the honor. Seven schools reached the highly valued “sustainable school” status (maintaining Green School certification for 16 years): Arcola, Beverly Farms, Captain James E. Daly, Garrett Park, Highland View, Lakewood and Takoma Park elementary schools. Six schools reached Sustainable Bronze Level (maintaining Green School certification for 20 years): Cedar Grove, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, North Chevy Chase and Rock Creek Forest elementary schools, and Poolesville High School.
The Maryland Green Schools Program requires that qualifying schools provide a portfolio of artifacts that demonstrate the completion of requirements in four categories. A critical criterion is the presentation of evidence that the school has integrated environmental education throughout the school year at every grade level. Each of this year’s schools met that strict standard by demonstrating a school community focused on environmental literacy, which includes student participation in environmental action.
The Division of Sustainability and Compliance successfully completed its fourth recertification and achieved Sustainable Green Center status. The Division of Sustainability and Compliance and the Outdoor Environmental and Education Programs (OEEP) are two certified Maryland Green Centers at MCPS. The Maryland Green Center Award recognizes MCPS' commitment to the Maryland Green Schools Program and to supporting schools with environmental literacy implementation.
A statewide celebration will be held on May 30 at the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit at Sandy Point State Park. Staff from the MCPS Outdoor Environmental Education Programs and the MCPS Division of Sustainability and Compliance will attend.
The 2023-2024 Green Schools are models for fulfilling the spirit of the Maryland State Department of Education’s curriculum standards in environmental literacy, integrating environmental education across grade levels and content areas.