April 27, 2022
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) continues to lead the state in Green School certification. PGCPS had the most schools applying for certification, the highest number of new Green Schools and tops all Maryland school districts in its total number of Green Schools.
This year, five schools earned first-time certification and 26 schools were recertified, raising the total number of Green Schools to 135 – 65 percent of all schools systemwide and approximately 20 percent of the 680 active Maryland Green Schools.
“This program is especially important as we strive to become an eco-friendly, sustainable and energy-efficient school district,” said Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer. “The Green Schools program empowers students to work as a team, build problem-solving skills and advocate for the environment.”
Surrattsville High School, G. James Gholson and Benjamin Stoddert middle schools, C. Elizabeth Rieg Regional School and Imagine Foundations at Leeland Public Charter School earned Maryland Green School certification for the first time this year.
Schools must recertify every four years to maintain Green School status. High Point High School, John Hanson Montessori and Scotchtown Hills Elementary achieved Sustainable Bronze status this year for maintaining certification for 18 consecutive years.
In addition, other schools earning recertification include:
High Schools – Charles Herbert Flowers, Friendly, International High School at Largo, Northwestern
K-8/Middle Schools – Thurgood Marshall
Elementary Schools – Apple Grove, Baden, Carole Highlands, Chillum, Gaywood, Glassmanor, Greenbelt, Kenilworth, Melwood, Northview, Oxon Hill, Perrywood, Samuel Chase, Suitland, Templeton, Tulip Grove, Woodmore, Yorktown
Schools will be honored during the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education’s (MAEOE) Annual Youth Summit on Thursday, May 26 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Schools will also receive a Maryland Green School flag, statewide and local recognition and special gifts.
The Maryland Green Schools program, sponsored by MAEOE, is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive Green School certification programs in the nation. It encourages educational opportunities, increases environmental awareness and promotes environmental stewardship practices for students at all grade levels. Through a non-competitive application process, schools must demonstrate their green activities and culture in eight criteria areas.
The Williams S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center has played a key role in growing the number of certifications by assisting schools with achieving and maintaining Green School status through modeling, educational programs, application guidance and support.
For more information about the Green School Program, visit the MAEOE website
-30-
