Ready to start your Green Ribbon Schools Award Journey?

To request support with the GRS Award Application for your district or school contact: Tamara Basepayne at tbasepayne@sjcoe.net .

California Green Ribbon Schools Award

The U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition award honors schools, school districts, and Institutes of Higher Education for excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education.

Application reviews will be based on the applicant's demonstrated progress towards reaching the goals of each of the three ED-GRS Pillars, which are:

Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs
Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff
Pillar III: Provide effective environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways

2024-25 CA GRS Awards closed in November.

Applications are being reviewed and annoucements for CA GRS Award nominees will be released later this spring.

2025-26 CA GRS Awards

Interested applicants should first complete the 2025-26 Application Interest Survey from the CDE. Beginning June 2025, schools and districts completing the survey will receive a school or district application to complete online. The survey and only application period will typically close early November 2025.

CDE GRS Award