Sustainable Schools
Environmentally sustainable schools offer several advantages to school districts. They often feature healthier environments and improved air quality, which can lead to fewer respiratory issues among students and staff and better attendance. They can be energy efficient, leading to lower operational costs for the district. They can also provide a living laboratory for students to learn about sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Learn more about how districts throughout the state have incorporated sustainability practices into their schools.
It is clear that sustainability does positively impact the success of New Jersey schools, in both the academic and the financial arena. Innovative sustainability measures resulted in cost savings, enabling funds to be used for other educational purposes. Sustainability measures also resulted in healthier learning environments.”
– New Jersey Sustainable Schools Project Guidebook
Report: K-12 Climate Change Education Needs in New Jersey
The report provides resources to enable schools to fully integrate climate change education across grade levels and content levels within five years of adoption of the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
New Jersey Sustainable Schools Project Guidebook
The New Jersey Sustainable Schools Project program was instrumental in helping school leaders understand the monetary, environmental and educational values that green schools provide. The guidebook details the policies, environmental curriculum standards and efficient operations and maintenance practices employed by the 11 pilot districts and schools that participated in this program.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a free, voluntary certification program for pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public schools in New Jersey. The program provides guidance, support, and recognition to schools that implement steps to be sustainable in their operations and proactive in preparing students for the challenges they will face in the future.
Sustainable Schools Resources
Learn more about sustainability practices in schools from the articles and resources below.
- New Jersey Establishes Office of Climate Change Education
- Green Schools: Climate Change Standards Blend Naturally Into District’s Instructional Plans
- Six New Jersey Schools Recognized for Innovative Climate Action Projects
- The Unstoppable Shift to Sustainability
- Elms Elementary School in Jackson Honored as a ‘Green Ribbon’ School
- The Top Ten Sustainability Questions Your Green Team Should Consider
Selected Resources: Videos, Webinars, Podcasts
Explore NJSBA’s multimedia resources below.
Below are additional multimedia resources.