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    The Pennsylvania schools and institutions that have attained ED-GRS status are models for all schools across the commonwealth.  The winners of the USDE Green Ribbon Schools Award, State Finalists, and recipient of specific initiative recognitions are to be commended for their work towards sustainable and healthy schools.  

    PDE provides multiple supports to assist schools to develop different levels of sustainability in our schools. These tools include assistance in environmental literacy plan development, professional development opportunities, partner organization checklists and audit tools, and a multi-tiered approach to encourage initial and continued gains across the pillars as the school, district or institution of higher education is ready for each new set of goals. Past award recipients ready and willing to mentor new schools initiating the journey to US Department of Education Green Ribbon School Status.   

    PDE is offering the following awards and recognitions:

    • US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) – Schools and institutions that have been recognized by USDE as Green Ribbon Schools  
    • State Level - Climbing the Pillars – tiers of award for nominated organizations
      • Success! One Pillar Complete
      • Success! Two Pillars Complete
      • Success! Three Pillars Complete – State Finalist Level – for Schools and institutions that have been recognized for attaining high levels of sustainability for all three pillars at the state level and are under consideration for nomination for the USDE Green Ribbon School award.

    Additional recognition is offered for eligible schools, districts, and institutions of higher education that are implementing innovative work within or in recognition of the following initiatives:

    • Agriculture Education
    • Climate Resilience
    • Environmental Justice
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Plan Development
    • Systemic Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Curriculum Integration
    • Litter, Recycling, and Waste Management Efforts
    • Continued Improvement Recognition for Past U.S.DOE GRS awardees (for schools or districts that have already achieved but would like to continue expanding programs and efforts related to environmental literacy and sustainability)

    Awardees

    Highlights from past US Green Rubbon Awardee Cycles​​

    2024 ED-GRS Award Winners

    • Rowan Elementary School, Cranberry Township, PA
    • Green Woods Charter School, Philadelphia, PA 
    • Reading Senior High School, Reading, PA

    2023 E​​D-GRS Award Winners

    • Hilldale Elementary School, Chadds Ford, PA
    • California Area School District, Coal Center, PA
    • West Chester University, West Chester, PA​

    2023 Sta​​te Level Finalists and Pillar Tier Recognition

    • Montgomery School, Chester Springs, PA
      • Success One Pillar Complete!

    2022 ED​-​GR​S Award Winners

    • Spring-Ford School District, Royersford, PA
    • Shippensburg University of PA, Shippensburg, PA 

    2021 ED-​​​G​RS Award Winners

    • Commonwealth Charter Academy, Harrisburg, PA 
    • Hance Elementary School, Pine Richland School District, Gibsonia, PA
    • Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

    2021 St​​ate Level Finalists and Pillar Tier Recognition

    • Central Cambria School District, Ebensburg, PA
      • Success Two Pillars Complete! With special recognition for work in the areas of Environmental Justice Area School and DEI Accessibility

    2020 ​​ED- GRS Award Winner

    • Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary,  Spring House, PA

    2019 E​​D- GRS Award Winners

    • Eden Hall Elementary Upper School, Gibsonia, PA
    • State College Friends School, State College, PA
    • Millersville University, Millersville, PA

    2018 E​​D-GRS Award Winners

    • ​Mt. Lebanon High School, Pittsburgh, PA
    • Wexford Elementary School, Wexford, PA

    2017 ​​ED GRS Award Winners

    • Coebourn Elementary School, Brookhaven, PA
    • The School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

    2016 ED​​-GRS Award Winners

    • Park Forest Elementary School, State College Area School District, State College PA
    • School District of Jenkintown, Jenkintown, PA
    • Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

    2016 S​​tate Level Finalist

    • Coebourn Elementary School, Penn Delco School District, Brookhaven, PA

    2015​ ED-GRS Award Winners

    PA Green Schools Recognition Ceremony: Harrisburg, 2015​​

    • Charles F. Patton Middle School, Kennett Square, PA
    • Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA

    2015 S​​tate Level Finalist

    • School District of Jenkintown, Jenkintown, PA

    2014 ​ED-GRS Award Winner

    • Council Rock School District, Newtown, PA

    2013 ED-G​​RS Award Winners

    • Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA
    • Broughal Community Middle School, Bethlehem, PA
    • Nazareth Area Middle School, Nazareth, PA
    • Westtown School, West Chester, PA
    • Lower Merion School District, Ardmore, PA

    2012 ED-GRS A​​ward Winners

    • ​Radnor Middle School, Wayne, PA
    • Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School, Chambersburg, PA
    • A.W. Beattie Career Center, Allison Park, PA
    • Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PA