Green Certification and Recognition

National District Sustainability Award 

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees are nationally recognized as some of America's most successful educational institutions in reducing their environmental impact and costs; improving health and wellness; and providing effective sustainability education.  MCPS is a 2013 District Sustainability Awardee, having earned this distinction for its systemwide efforts in the three areas detailed above.

National Green Ribbon School Award 

The aim of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is to inspire schools, districts, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to strive for 21st-century excellence by highlighting promising school sustainability practices and resources that all can employ. To that end, the award recognizes schools, districts, and IHEs that:

• reduce environmental impact and costs;
• improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
• provide effective environmental and sustainability education

In 2020, Oakland Terrace Elementary School received this prestigious award bringing to a total of eleven MCPS schools receiving the award since the inception of the program in 2012.  For complete list of MCPS awardees, please click here.

Maryland Green Schools

The Maryland Green Schools Award Program (MDGS), 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. As of 2024, 101 MCPS schools have voluntarily earned and maintained MAEOE Green School certification. Click here for a list of those schools. For more information about MDGS program and how to apply, click here.

Maryland Green Centers and Partners

The Division of Sustainability and Compliance, School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) program and the Outdoor Environmental and Education Programs (OEEP) are two certified Maryland Green Centers at MCPS. The Maryland Green Center Award recognizes MCPS's commitment to the Maryland Green Schools Program and to supporting schools with environmental literacy implementation. 

Click here to view a list of all Green Centers in Montgomery County.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. (Source: USGBC)

As of 2022, twenty-eight MCPS school buildings are LEED Gold certified, and eight school buildings are LEED Silver certified.  Click here for a complete list of LEED-certified MCPS schools and their level.