Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Department of Education will recognize schools where staff, students, officials and communities have worked together to produce energy efficient, sustainable and healthy school environments and to ensure the sustainability and environmental literacy of graduates.
Asheville’s own Evergreen Charter School is one of 78 “green ribbon” schools honored by the U.S. Department of Education for reducing environmental impact, promoting health and outdoor education.
The announcement, from the White House, lists 78 schools in 29 states and Washington, D.C. in the first ever “green ribbon” list.
“Honored schools exercise a comprehensive approach to creating ‘green’ environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education to prepare students with the 21st century skills and sustainability concepts needed in the growing global economy,” the announcement reads. Evergreen, a public charter school teaching kindergarten through eighth grade, is one of only two schools in the state to receive the honor.
