Sustainable Jersey for Schools is celebrating 10 years of advancing sustainability in New Jersey’s public schools. Since the inaugural cohort of 59 certified schools in 2015, the program has grown significantly — 566 schools have achieved certification and more than 1,211 schools now participate, actively driving meaningful change on critical sustainability issues.
The Sustainable Jersey Grants Program has awarded over $3.5 million in grants to schools and school districts. Fifty-six percent of participating school districts have received at least one grant. From implementing education for sustainability in the classroom and improving school district energy efficiency, to coordinating sustainable and scalable food waste solutions, participating schools and districts have been at the forefront of creating a sustainable future. They serve as learning labs for prevailing sustainability issues by identifying authentic learning opportunities for students and staff through school gardens, outdoor classrooms, aquaponics systems, waste reduction initiatives and more.
Founding Partnership: Sustainable Jersey for Schools and the NJSBA
The New Jersey School Boards Association is a founding partner of Sustainable Jersey for Schools and continues to support and guide the program. Launching Sustainable Jersey for Schools was a major step toward the future of sustainability in New Jersey. NJSBA’s leadership and vision helped make Sustainable Jersey for Schools possible. Today, over 67% of New Jersey school districts participate in the program.
In 2012, many local school district representatives were serving on their municipal Sustainable Jersey green teams. However, it was clear that there was need to create a program that specifically addressed sustainability within the education sector. The leadership of Sustainable Jersey and the NJSBA met to discuss the development of a voluntary sustainability certification program designed specifically for schools. As a result of these meetings, the two organizations cemented an enduring partnership that led to the creation of Sustainable Jersey for Schools.
The NJSBA recognized the value that Sustainable Jersey brings to municipalities and saw the program’s potential to benefit schools. Just as the New Jersey League of Municipalities championed Sustainable Jersey to municipalities, the NJSBA played a pivotal role in bringing the program to schools. By providing finanacial support, the NJSBA helped launch and sustain Sustainable Jersey for Schools. From the outset, the Association integrated Sustainable Jersey for Schools into its annual Workshop, where it has hosted the program’s annual awards ceremony eight times since 2015.
Schools of All Sizes, Resources and Communities Engaged
More than 100 best practices and performance standards have been created for schools to move toward sustainability. Each year, the Sustainable Jersey for Schools list of certification actions is updated to reflect the changing conditions in the sustainability field. Since 2015, participating schools have collectively implemented and documented more than 9,864 discrete actions from the list of best practices.
Schools of all sizes and settings participate in the program, with certification actions designed to align with each school’s values, resources and capabilities. The range of participating schools spans from small communities like Cape May City, with about 160 students, to larger suburban districts such as Howell Township, which serves more than 6,000 students. Several large urban districts are actively participating, with notable involvement from the Newark Public Schools, where 65 schools — serving a student population of 35,329 — are certified. Additionally, Camden City Public Schools boasts 20 certified schools. Each school and district follows its own path toward sustainability, shaped by its distinct challenges and opportunities. This article highlights some of the inspiring success stories from Sustainable Jersey for Schools.
Readington Township Public Schools (Hunterdon County)
A pioneer in sustainability, Readington Township Public Schools has been a committed participant in Sustainable Jersey for Schools since the program’s inception. Over the years, the district has realized substantial benefits, including saving hundreds of thousands of dollars, reducing its carbon footprint, and empowering students to become environmental stewards and future thought leaders.
In 2015, all four Readington Township Public Schools achieved Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification, with two earning silver-level distinction. A decade later, all four schools have maintained their certification and now proudly hold silver-level status. Additionally, each school has been honored as a United States Department of Education Green Ribbon School, showcasing their ongoing leadership in sustainability.
Betsy Freeman, who leads gift and talent development and enrichment at Readington Middle School, said, “Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a conduit for teachers across the state to meet and compare notes. The program provides the connections we need to make progress and the knowledge base of sustainability actions that shows us what to do.” She attributes the district’s success to the vision and leadership of Readington Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Hart. She highlights his role in “forging the foundation that guides outstanding teaching and learning in the district — forward-thinking strategic goals that align across all areas, from curriculum and instruction to the business office and facilities, as well as the Home School Association, students, staff, administration and the broader community.”
Named Hunterdon County Superintendent of the Year, Hart is focused on meeting the district’s educational goals, while simultaneously managing the budget to ensure resources are allocated effectively to achieve those goals. “Sustainability efforts require school board support,” Hart said. “The Readington Township Board of Education established a district sustainability policy that has become a fundamental part of our mission and school culture.”
In 2021, the district further integrated sustainability into its long-term vision by enhancing its strategic plan with three core goals — inquisitive learning, partnerships and social awareness — all of which incorporate green initiatives. By adopting a formal sustainability policy, the district and community demonstrate a shared dedication to fostering a more sustainable future.
Through a combination of operational improvements and behavioral changes led by staff and students, the district has significantly reduced energy consumption. Since the inception of these programs, the district estimates savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In 2018, the district installed solar panels at its schools, now generating approximately 35% of the electricity used.
“The Sustainable Jersey certification process provides us with a structured framework to maximize our impact on sustainability,” Hart explained. “Additionally, the grants offer important financial support, enabling our schools to implement initiatives that benefit students and the school community — projects that might not otherwise fit within the budget.” Over the years, Readington Township Public Schools has been awarded $62,000 in Sustainable Jersey grants to support its sustainability efforts. Most recently, in 2024, the district received a $10,000 Sustainable Jersey Grant, funded by the PSEG Foundation, to launch EcoAction News — a student-led news station covering school events and environmental sustainability initiatives within the community.
Hart expressed gratitude for Sustainable Jersey for Schools, stating, “We appreciate their dedication to supporting communities in building a more sustainable future. Our district’s goal is to empower students to lead purposeful lives and cultivate a spirit of discovery.” He highlighted that EcoAction News began as a passion project led by student EcoAmbassadors, adding, “It’s truly inspiring to see our district’s mission come to life as our students and faculty transform their passions into meaningful action.”
Cape May City School District (Cape May County)
After earning bronze-level certification in its first year participating in the program, Cape May City Elementary School has maintained silver-level certification continuously since 2016. As the only school in the Cape May City School District, it serves approximately 160 students, with about 59% of them living at the nearby United States Coast Guard Base. Over the years, the district has received $8,000 in grants from Sustainable Jersey for Schools.
Most recently, the school used a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey grant to launch a staff wellness initiative called “Well, Well, Well! Fitness for Staff.” This program prioritized staff health through Tai Chi, yoga and exercise classes, as well as nutrition lectures and blood pressure monitoring.
Nicole Cooper, a special education teacher at Cape May City Elementary School, serves as the adviser to both the Earth Club and the school’s green team. She reflected on the program’s impact, stating, “Sustainable Jersey for Schools has sparked imagination and curiosity in our students and the community, helping them understand the importance of sustainability and how to take action.”
The school’s environment further enriches its sustainability efforts. As a National Wildlife Federation-certified wildlife habitat, the campus features woods, succession fields and a salt marsh. One of Cooper’s favorite features is the school garden, which includes raised beds for planting. “My students love getting their hands dirty! The entire student body votes on what to plant, and we start growing seeds in the classroom under grow lights before transferring them to the garden in the spring,” she said. “For my special education students, the garden is especially meaningful — it engages them in hands-on learning about plant care. The Earth Club students take ownership of the work, and it has become a truly wonderful addition to our school.”
Howell Township Public Schools (Monmouth County)
Howell Township Public Schools is comprised of two early learning centers, eight K-5 schools and two middle schools, educating approximately 6,000 students. In 2018, Memorial Elementary School became the district’s first school to achieve Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification at the bronze level. Inspired by this achievement, a board of education member challenged Superintendent Joseph Isola to get the remaining 11 schools certified. Known for his competitive spirit, Isola embraced the challenge. “My mindset as a coach is to win. If you challenge me, I go all in,” he said. By the following year, all 12 schools in the district had earned Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.
Since 2018, the district’s schools have consistently maintained silver-level certification and were among the first to earn the Digital Schools Star Recognition. Over the years, the district has received $132,000 in grants from Sustainable Jersey for Schools, supporting various sustainability programs.
A standout achievement is the district’s solar energy program. The Howell Board of Education installed solar panels at 15 district buildings, totaling 13,126 solar modules with multiple inverters to convert solar energy into usable electricity for the buildings. The systems are projected to generate over five megawatt-hours of electricity in a year, offsetting more than 75% of the district’s electrical consumption with renewable energy. Each school features a digital kiosk where students and teachers can track solar energy production, integrating real-world sustainability lessons into the curriculum.
These initiatives have had a significant environmental impact. Howell Public Schools will reduce its carbon footprint by 3,821 tons of carbon dioxide — the equivalent of removing 736 passenger vehicles from the road, powering over 415 homes, or planting 4,080 acres of forest in just one year.
“These accomplishments do not happen by accident,” Isola said. “They’re the result of a unified commitment to sustainability. We have 12 schools, but it is one community. This work matters, and we are proud to be part of it.”
He emphasized the district sees value in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program, recognizing the district can benefit from the cost savings incurred from increasing the energy efficiency of its buildings, improving student and staff health and wellness and engaging students with digital learning. “We are striving for long-term benefits,” he said. “The goal is to make progress that will ultimately drive sustainability and teach collaboration, empowerment and resilience.”
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey offers grants and technical assistance to New Jersey public schools and school districts to help achieve certification. To set up a consultation with Sustainable Jersey for Schools staff, email schools@sustainablejersey.com. For more information visit the website: www.SustainableJerseySchools.com.
Kristy Ranieri manages communications for Sustainable Jersey, a role she has served for 16 years since the program’s launch in 2009.
