Green Schools
Green School Initiative in Calvert County
Green Schools are schools who have chosen to maintain a healthy environment that can support a successful learning environment while saving energy, valuable resources, and money.
The CCPS Green School program has been embedded in our culture since the start of our CHESPAX Program. The certification of being a Green School was an opportunity that became available through a program run through the Maryland Association of Environmental Outdoor Education (MAEOE) in 1999. The Maryland Green Schools Program is a nationally recognized program that has a significant impact on students and schools. The program is aligned with the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and supports Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements.
Since 1999, each of our K-12 schools have successfully recertified a minimum of four times, achieving a sustainable status or sustainable bronze level, having participated in the program for at least 16 years. We are proud to say that CCPS is the first and only school district in Maryland where 100% of our K-12 schools have reached a sustainable level.
Green School Certification Process
The Green School Application is a process that requires the facilitation of a dedicated person or group of individuals with a passion to cultivate a green climate in their school. Our Green School coordinators must enlist a team at the staff and student level to ensure the application process is a success.
Once the application is complete, it is submitted to MAEOE where it is reviewed by three trained Green School leaders. The commitment and dedication involved is overwhelming and time consuming. There is no prize or monetary award to become green. Our motivation is teaching our students the importance of being a steward of our environment.