The MCPS Board of Education, Policy ECA, Sustainability, sets a goal to increase the number of Maryland-certified Green schools. Montgomery County’s 2021 Climate Action Plan states, “MCPS has a target of 50% of its schools reaching certification as Maryland Green Schools within the next 3 years (2024) and a long-term goal of 100% by 2035.”
This program provides Pre-K to 12th-grade students with educational opportunities that:
Founded in 1999, the Maryland Green Schools Program (MDGS) is a sustainable school program that is nationally recognized as having a significant impact on students and schools. The program aligns with the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and supports Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements and standards.
For more information, click here.
To become certified, schools submit a package documenting their efforts in curriculum/instruction, professional development, school engagement, and partnerships.
The MCPS Green Centers will provide support and resources for you to successfully submit your application. Please email:
sustainability@mcpsmd.org
For a quick guide to the application process, click here or visit MAEOE for additional information and a Step-by-Step Guide.
As of 2022, ninety-one MCPS schools have voluntarily earned and maintained MAEOE Green School certification. Click here for a list of those schools.
There are currently 680 Maryland Green Schools in the state. Across Maryland, 36% of approximately 2,200 public and independent schools, serving approximately 430,000 PreK to 12th-grade students have achieved this recognition.
The Division of Sustainability and Compliance, School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) program and the Outdoor Environmental and Education Programs (OEEP) are two certified Maryland Green Centers at MCPS. The Maryland Green Center Award recognizes MCPS' commitment to the Maryland Green Schools Program and to supporting schools with environmental literacy implementation.
To view a list of all Green Centers in Montgomery County, click here.
Here are exemplars of successful applications in MCPS:
Ashburton Elementary School (Sustained Level Recertification)
Kensington Parkwood Elementary School (Recertification)
Silver Creek Middle School (New Certification)
Sligo Middle School (Recertification)
Thomas Wootton High School (New Certification)
Walt Whitman High School (New Certification)
MCPS Maryland Green Centers and partners offer professional development and training sessions to assist you in achieving a Maryland Green School certification/recertification for your school. Email sustainability@mcpsmd.org to be added to the mailing list for periodic announcements of upcoming opportunities.
You may also visit MAEOE directly to view a list of trainings, meetings, and sessions.
The Division of Sustainability and Compliance offers three types of stipends that are available to staff
leading sustainability programs and to increase participation in the Maryland
Green School (MDGS) certification program.
These stipends are new in school year 2022-23, and replace incentive awards that were
previously awarded to a limited number of schools. The change is to acknowledge the admirable
efforts of staff at all schools who are leading sustainability at their schools
systemwide. In accordance with MCPS
practices, both MCEA and SEIU are eligible for these stipends. Please complete and submit the linked google
Stipend Request Form
as applicable to your school.
Four funding opportunities from MAEOE ranging from $250 to $2,500 that include teacher stipend for leading a Green Team, Student Action Grants, Transportation Grants, and Teacher Professional Development Grants. To apply, click here.
Do you still have questions about the Maryland Green Schools certification/recertification? Contact MCPS Maryland Green Centers (SERT and OEEP):
