Framed by coastal hills and just steps from the Pacific Ocean, the campuses of the Laguna Beach Unified School District are well positioned to connect students with nature. But it’s the district’s purposeful commitment to sustainability, wellness and environmental education that has earned it the state’s highest honor in the 2025 California Green Ribbon Schools awards.
On Earth Day, April 22, Laguna Beach Unified was named a “Green Achiever,” placing it among just five honorees statewide nominated for special recognition through the United States Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program, also known as ED-GRS.
The announcement came from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who recognized 29 schools, seven districts and three county offices of education across California for their environmental leadership.
“California Green Ribbon Schools exemplify the values of innovation, resiliency and creativity that drive our efforts to make every school community a healthy and sustainable learning environment for our students,” Thurmond said. “I congratulate each of these schools on your incredible accomplishments and contributions to our state.”
The five ED-GRS designees were specifically praised for conserving resources while promoting health and environmental literacy. Here’s what the state had to say about Laguna Beach Unified:
Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, health, and environmental literacy through initiatives that promote conservation, wellness, and education.
The district aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 by implementing renewable energy projects, waste diversion programs, and water conservation efforts. To support these goals, LBUSD is updating its 10-year Facility Master Plan (FMP) to align with Energy Management Plan (EMP) projects, establishing a structured framework for securing funding and implementing energy improvements.
The district fosters health and wellness by maintaining pesticide-free, organic landscaping and enhancing indoor air quality using nontoxic cleaning products, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers, and UV-filtered heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Students and staff benefit from locally sourced meals, garden literacy programs, and a nature therapy framework that integrates outdoor experiences into social–emotional learning.
LBUSD develops high-quality environmental literacy for students through professional development for educators, teacher-designed, environmentally focused interdisciplinary units, hands-on experiences, and innovative programs like the Fire, Land, Ocean, and Water (FLOW) curricular integration initiative and the Poseidon Stormwater Project.
Strategic enhancements, including outdoor science gardens, inspire critical thinking and foster meaningful connections to local ecosystems. Through these integrated efforts, LBUSD creates an educational environment that equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges and lead sustainable lives.
Laguna Beach Unified led the way for Orange County, but it wasn’t the only local honoree. The Anaheim Union High School District earned silver recognition for its districtwide environmental initiatives, and one of its campuses, South Junior High School, was among four local schools also awarded silver status.
The other silver-level recipients include Community Roots Academy, a charter school in Laguna Niguel; Portola High School, part of the Irvine Unified School District; and Heritage Oak Private Education, a private school in Yorba Linda. El Toro High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District received a bronze award for its ongoing environmental efforts.
California’s other 2025 ED-GRS nominees are the San Mateo County Office of Education in San Mateo County; Bella Mente Montessori Academy in San Diego County; McNear Elementary School in Sonoma County; and Saint Francis High School, a private school in Santa Clara County.
The California Green Ribbon Schools award is based on applications submitted for ED-GRS recognition. Private school awards are presented by the California Association of Private School Organizations.
Here is the full list of 2025 California Green Ribbon Schools honorees, with local sites in bold:
Public Schools
- Bella Mente Montessori Academy, Vista Unified, San Diego County (Green Achiever)
- McNear Elementary School, Petaluma City Schools, Sonoma County (Green Achiever)
- 24th Street Elementary, Los Angeles Unified, Los Angeles County (Gold)
- Captain Leland F. Norton Elementary, San Bernardino Unified, San Bernardino County (Gold)
- Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino County (Gold)
- Marylin Avenue STEAM Academy, Livermore Valley Joint Unified, Alameda County (Gold)
- Oxnard High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Gold)
- Temecula Luiseño Elementary, Temecula Valley Union, Riverside County (Gold)
- Ysabel Barnett Elementary, Temecula Valley Union, Riverside County (Gold)
- Calabasas Elementary, Pajaro Valley Unified, Santa Cruz County (Silver)
- Charlotte N. Werner Elementary, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino County (Silver)
- Community Roots Academy, Capistrano Unified, Orange County (Silver)
- Helen L. Dollahan Elementary, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino County (Silver)
- Mary Bragg Elementary, ABC Unified, Los Angeles County (Silver)
- Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, Petaluma City Schools, Sonoma County (Silver)
- Oliveira Elementary, Fremont Unified, Alameda County (Silver)
- Portola High, Irvine Unified, Orange County (Silver)
- South Junior High, Anaheim Union High, Orange County (Silver)
- Adolfo Camarillo High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Bronze)
- Channel Islands High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Bronze)
- Community Montessori, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego County (Bronze)
- El Toro High, Saddleback Valley Unified, Orange County (Bronze)
- Hueneme High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Bronze)
- Kimbark Elementary, San Bernardino City Unified, San Bernardino County (Bronze)
- Mission San Jose Elementary, Fremont Unified, Alameda County (Bronze)
- Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, Burbank Unified, Los Angeles County (Bronze)
Local Educational Agencies
- Laguna Beach Unified School District, Orange County (Green Achiever)
- San Mateo County Office of Education, San Mateo County (Green Achiever)
- Mountain View Whisman School District, Santa Clara County (Gold)
- National School District, San Diego County (Gold)
- San Joaquin County Office of Education, San Joaquin County (Gold)
- Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Santa Cruz County (Gold)
- Anaheim Union High School District, Orange County (Silver)
- Moorpark Unified School District, Ventura County (Silver)
- Petaluma City Schools District, Sonoma County (Bronze)
- San Mateo Union High School District, San Mateo County (Bronze)
Private Schools
- Saint Francis High School, Santa Clara County (Green Achiever)
- Lycée Français de San Francisco, San Francisco County (Gold)
- Heritage Oak Private Education, Orange County (Silver)
For more information, visit the California Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Award Program webpage.