The Kentucky Department of Education, along with our Green partners, recently selected three outstanding Kentucky schools as recipients of the first Kentucky Green Ribbon School Award.  These schools are the nominees for the 2012 National Green Ribbon School Award, which will be announced on April 23.

The three winning schools, listed by school district, are:

Fayette County – Rosa Parks Elementary

Scott County – Georgetown Middle

Warren County – Richardsville Elementary

KDE also acknowledged the other Kentucky Green Ribbon School applicants for their accomplishments:  Christian County’s Lacy Elementary and Kenton County’s Turkey Foot Middle.  Representatives from all five schools will be invited to a recognition ceremony in April.

The award is the first comprehensive recognition of exemplary achievement in environmental impact, health and education.  It 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.

Applications were evaluated in March by a team of representatives from Kentucky agencies and programs dedicated to greener schools.  Applications included information based on high achievements or demonstrated improvements in three areas:

  1. net zero environmental impact
  2. net positive impact on health of students and staff
  3. 100% of high school graduates environmentally and sustainability literate 

If you have questions, please contact Paige Patterson-Grant at Paige.Patterson@education.ky.gov  or (502) 564-5279, ext. 4402.