DFM→DIVISION OF SUSTAINABILITY AND COMPLIANCE→ SERT PROGRAM → CERTIFICATIONS AND RECOGNITION  

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (2010), the nation's highest Presidential honor for performance excellence through innovation, improvement, and visionary leadership, including a focus on organizational sustainability. MCPS is only the sixth school system to receive this award and is the largest by far. In 2006, MCPS won Maryland's most prestigious award for performance excellence—the U.S. Senate Productivity Award for implementation of the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, a management philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement in the constant pursuit of excellence. Thirty-nine MCPS schools are proud recipients of the National Blue Ribbon Award. 

The U.S. Department of Education National Green Ribbon Schools Award began in the 2011–2012 school year. This award recognizes schools and districts, and institutions of higher learning education that reduced environmental impact and costs; improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and provide effective environmental and sustainable education. MCPS is a 2013 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Awardee, having earned this distinction for its systemwide efforts in the three areas detailed above. Additionally, 11 MCPS schools have been proud recipients of this much-sought-after national recognition. Click here for a list of those schools.

The Maryland Green Schools Award Program, sponsored by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), is a nationally-recognized program that allows schools and their communities to evaluate their efforts in environmental sustainability. Participating schools encourage sustainability, foster environmental literacy, and empower students to make changes to reduce their environmental impact. More than 100 MCPS schools have voluntarily earned and maintained MAEOE Green School certification. Click here for a list of those schools. 

The SERT program is a certified Maryland Green Center. The Maryland Green Center award represents SERT's commitment to the Maryland Green Schools Program and to supporting schools with environmental literacy implementation. MAEOE has recognized the green efforts that SERT has taken to achieve this significant accomplishment. 

SERT AWARDS

The School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) program is a systemwide resource conservation program that promotes efficient and responsible resource use. Monetary incentives are awarded to schools based on a combination of criteria that includes demonstrated resource conservation behavior and actions, a reduction in energy use, active recycling participation, and performance data. Click here to find out how to best use your SERT award funds. 

SERT Quarterly Energy Awards

SERT Recycling Awards

SERT Annual Recycling Awards