WV Sustainable Schools Award Program (WVSS)
The West Virginia Sustainable Schools (WVSS) award program is a recognition program for schools that exemplify a commitment to sustainable practices in the facilities as well as integrate those practices into the curriculum and community. The program recognizes schools where staff, students, officials, and communities have worked together to produce energy efficient, sustainable and healthy school environments and to ensure the sustainability and environmental literacy of graduates. All public and private schools in West Virginia are invited to apply for this state and national recognition. The school selected for the highest WVSS award will receive $5,000 and second place school will receive $1,000 to improve, continue, or extend a part of their Sustainable Schools program. Schools which receive the WVSS award may be nominated for consideration as a Green Ribbon School.
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer sustainability education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. The recognition award is part of a larger USDE effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security. The WVDE is partnering with other state agencies and organizations in the development of the WV Sustainable Schools program.
HeaderWV Sustainable Schools Bike Event
In 2019, Barbour County's Junior Elementary School received a $5,000 grant with the West Virginia Sustainable Schools Award. The funding was used to purchase a set of mountain bikes for the school. The third and fourth grades have been using them to go on self-propelled field trips and during gym class since the spring.
Junior Elementary is focusing on bringing all the kids up to speed. About half of the kids are solid bikers and they have been riding all over the schoolyard; up and down the grassy hillside, around the steep, former "walking path" that winds around the playground, and loops of the parking lot. The other half of the kids have little-to-no background with bikes and are starting from the ground up in a long biking unit in gym class.
Application Process
Applications to receive recognition as a WV Sustainable School must be submitted as indicated by the deadline below. The WV Sustainable Schools advisory council will review the applications and announce awards. Up to four schools and one county will then be nominated to the USDE for the Green Ribbon School awards. The USDE expects to award approximately 50-75 awards. Additional information about the WV Sustainable Schools and U.S. Green Ribbon Schools awards and criteria and may be found in Awards and Criteria.
To start your application for recognition as a WV Sustainable School, send an email to Rachel Eades reades@k12.wv.us You are under NO obligation to continue with the application process; there are no consequences for not completing the application. All schools expressing interest will be contacted individually and offered technical assistance through the application process.
Awards and Criteria
WV Sustainable Schools is a recognition program for schools that exemplify a commitment to sustainable practices in the facilities as well as integrate those practices into the curriculum and community. Annually, schools will be recognized at several levels for their accomplishments in the criteria below. Awards may also be given to schools that excel in one of the objectives below, but may not have made the necessary progress to achieve recognition for the overall award.
The school selected for the highest WVSS award will receive $5,000 and second place school will receive $1,000 to improve, continue, or extend a part of their Sustainable Schools program.
The top awards for the WV Sustainable Schools program will then be nominated to the U.S. Department of Education as US Green Ribbon Schools. These winners will be announced on Earth Day each year. The criteria for the WV Sustainable Schools program have been aligned with the U.S. Green Ribbon Schools program so that our winners will be very competitive in the federal program. WV Sustainable Schools and U.S. Green Ribbon Schools Criteria
Pillar 1. Environmental and Sustainability Education
Interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between dynamic environmental, energy, and human systems;
Authentic use of the environment and sustainability to develop Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) content knowledge and thinking skills to prepare graduates for the 21st century technology-driven economy; and
Development of civic engagement knowledge and skills and increase the application of these as students address sustainability and environmental issues in their communities.
Pillar 2. Healthy School Environments
An integrated school environmental health program based on an operations and facility-wide environmental management system that considers student, visitor, and staff health and safety in all practices related to design, construction, renovation, operations, and maintenance of schools and grounds; and
High standards of nutrition, fitness, and quantity of quality outdoor time for both students and staff.
Pillar 3. Environmental Impact and Energy Efficiency
Reduced energy use and/or greenhouse gas emissions through the use of an energy audit or emissions inventory and reduction plan, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, and on-site renewable energy and/or purchase of green power;
Improved water quality, efficiency, and conservation;
Reduced solid and hazardous waste production through increased recycling, reduced consumption, and improved reduction, management, or elimination of hazardous waste streams; and
Expanded use of alternative transportation to, during, and from school through active promotion of locally-available, energy-efficient options and implementation of alternative transportation supportive projects and policies.
Contact Us
Applying to the WV Sustainable Schools award program is the first step in your eligibility as a US Green Ribbon School nominee. All schools interested in being recognized as a WV Sustainable School should send an email expressing intent to:
