All photos by the author.

Schools in the District and Montgomery County make sustainability part of the curriculum with greener buildings and a focus on environmental stewardship. With help from the US Department of Education, they could become an example for other schools around the country.

Last month, the Department of Education gave Green Ribbon awards to 3 schools in DC, as well as Montgomery County Public Schools and 2 individual Montgomery schools. Nationwide, 64 schools and 14 school districts won awards.

Green Ribbon schools go beyond the traditional “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra. They recognize the importance of engaging with the community and commit to a sustainable future while acknowledging the connection between environmental stewardship and public health.

Green Ribbon award targets a sustainable future

Awards in the DC region went to Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School, Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School, and Woodrow Wilson High School in the District, along with Cedar Grove Elementary School in Germantown and Summit Hall Elementary School in Gaithersburg.

The Green Ribbon award acknowledges practices that result in greater student engagement, higher academic achievement and graduation rates, and workforce preparedness. State education authorities nominate individual schools or entire districts for the award, which are then evaluated by the Department of Education based on their three pillars of sustainability: reduced environmental impact and costs, improved health and wellness, and effective environmental education.

By including so many facets of sustainability, the award encourages collaboration with state and federal agencies, like the departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Energy as well as private-sector businesses.

The Department of Education has also established a Green Strides Initiative, which helps schools move towards the three pillars. Department officials say that including sustainability in a school’s curriculum can not only boost test scores and prepare students for future careers, but “teach students the important civic values and skills that will encourage them to grow into responsible, compassionate, and contributing citizens.”

Mundo Verde leads by example

Mundo Verde, located in Columbia Heights, serves students in pre-kindergarten through 1st grade with plans to add an additional grade each year. School officials didn’t let being in a temporary location stand in the way of their commitment to sustainability.

They installed low flow faucets, energy efficient lighting with motion sensors, and replaced old carpet with more asthma-friendly tiling. Newly-installed clerestory windows increase the amount of natural light in each classroom.

Outside, a sandbox and recreation deck made from recycled materials replaced 11 unused parking spots. The school officials installed a bike rack and raised garden beds, while 55 percent of Mundo Verde’s students get to school by walking, using public transportation, or biking.

Mundo Verde also purchases materials, such as paper, that are 100 percent recycled, sustainably made, and non-toxic. Staff and students use reusable flatware, cups, and plates to cut down on waste. While these changes may seem small, they add up to a much larger impact on the environment.

Students learn by doing

Mundo Verde uses an expeditionary teaching model and project-based learning to challenge students and prepare them to work together to improve the environment. The goal is to make learning as authentic as possible and help students understand not just how things happen, but why.

Last fall, 1st grade students weighed how much waste the school produces and set a goal to reduce it. After visiting Eco City Farms and learning about composting, the students decided to begin vermiculture composting in their classrooms. The composing bin is located right in the classroom and students are in charge of adding materials. As a result, the school produces 70% less waste.

Noting the benefits of good nutrition and exercise, school officials at Mundo Verde designed a school curriculum that emphasizes both. The school offers cooking classes using fresh vegetables and herbs grown in the garden.

Classrooms are set up to take advantage of students’ natural curiosity and encourage them to explore the natural world. Autumn leaves decorate the sides of bookcases. For playtime, there’s a box with rocks and sticks next to building blocks.

This focus on sustainability draws like-minded teachers like Ms. Kathryn, who’s finishing her second year at Mundo Verde. She appreciates the school’s focus on environmental appreciation and stewardship.

Mundo Verde focuses on community-building

Part of Mundo Verde’s emphasis on sustainability is getting students out into their community. Each day, students spend an hour outside, whether for PE, yoga, unstructured play, or neighborhood walks. Each month, the entire school spends half the day in Rock Creek Park. During a recent trip, students used the natural environment as inspiration for art class.

Mundo Verde partners with groups like City Blossoms, DC Greens, and Friends of the Park, along with the US Forest Service, to improve the school and its curriculum. Students have also worked with Eco City Farms, Fat Worm, and the DC Office of Recycling to decrease the amount of landfill-bound waste. They organized a letter-writing campaign to the city and the school’s board of directors asking for more and bigger recycling bins.

By teaching its students to act with their community and the environment in mind, Mundo Verde and other Green Ribbon winners are leading the way for schools around the country.

Jessica Christy has two children learning Chinese at Washington Yu Ying, where she is also the president of the Parent Association. For work, she does industrial hygiene consulting and stays at home with her two-year-old. In her free time (ha!), Jessica enjoys needlepoint and DIY home improvement. All opinions stated here are her own.