"Best of Green Schools" recipient schools and regions from across the nation – from K-12 to higher education – were recognized for a variety of sustainable, cost-cutting measures, including energy conservation, record numbers of LEED® certified buildings and collaborative platforms and policies to green U.S. school infrastructure. D.C.'s commitment to measurable and innovative sustainable building goals serves as a model for schools and campuses everywhere.
In May 2010, the D.C. Council unanimously passed the Healthy Schools Act of 2010. 2011 updates to the bill included participation in the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools program, making D.C. the first "state" to sign up for the voluntary federal program. This past August, American University's School of Education, Training, and Health offered a course entitled "Foundations of a Healthy School," focusing solely on the Healthy Schools Act. In September, Councilmember Cheh was awarded the Leadership For Healthy Communities Award for the law's efforts to confront childhood obesity in the District.
For more information on each of this year's "Best of Green Schools" recipients, please visit centerforgreenschools.org/bestof2011.