On Thursday, the California Department of Education announced Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School as one of its Green Ribbon Schools. 
Students from Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School develop and lead initiatives related to waste diversion and site-wide conservation efforts. 
School leaders encourage students to recycle, divert waste and treat nature with kindness. 
Teachers at Santiago bring students out to the orchard to experience lessons outside.
Creating innovative ways to reduce environmental impacts and costs while offering effective sustainability educational programs earned Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School the recognition from state and national officials.
On Thursday, the California Department of Education announced that the Saddleback Valley Unified School District campus had received U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition after being named one of five “Green Achievers” by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
“California Green Ribbon Schools exemplify leading-edge models for improved indoor air quality, outdoor classrooms, and whole-school environmental education,” State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said.
Only three other schools and one district in the state received the national honor. Jefferson Elementary School in the Carlsbad Unified School District, Redwood High School in the Sequoia Unified School District, and Bellarmine College Preparatory, a private school in San Jose, were also recognized, along with the Moreno Valley Unified School District in Riverside County.
Across the country, 26 schools, 11 districts, and four postsecondary institutions received the ED-GRS designation.
“I want to congratulate the educators, school leaders, students, families, and advocates engaged in this work for showing the nation that any school in any community can strive to be a green school,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said. “In doing so, empower the next generation to build a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable nation.”
Here’s more about Santiago from the state:
Santiago STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Magnet Elementary School develops customized, high-quality, project-based learning units to give students the agency to develop real-world solutions for issues directly affecting the school. Student-developed and student-led initiatives include waste diversion and sitewide conservation efforts guided by research in collaboration with local experts.
The school is improving decades-old infrastructure with eco-conscious upgrades in water-efficient fixtures, light emitting diode indoor and outdoor lighting, and heating and ventilation. Volunteer-led initiatives include the addition of efficient aerators to all sinks; highly water-efficient, all-native gardens utilizing bioswales and soil remediation techniques; restored wildlife habitat and ecological learning spaces; a Green Parent Teacher Association policy that includes equitable low- or no-waste events/programming; and the diversion of 70 tons from landfills by using reclaimed materials for the construction of outdoor learning environments.
All students partake in a positive behavior reinforcement program that recognizes good behavior with experiential rewards.
For its efforts, Santiago is also among 14 schools, five school districts and one county office of education to earn 2023 California Green Ribbon Schools awards, which were announced two days before Earth Day.
“Teachers, staff, parents, volunteers and community partners have worked and collaborated to improve the wellness of our students by focusing on environmental education, fostering green efforts, and building a sense of community,” Santiago STEAM Magnet Principal Howard Johnston said. “We are well on our way to bring our mission of providing meaningful, innovative learning experiences for a community of diverse learners who solve complex problems with creativity and confidence to life.”
Community Roots Academy, a public charter school in Laguna Niguel, was also spotlighted through the program, which recognizes schools, districts and county offices for environmental excellence based on their applications for ED-GRS recognition.
Here’s the full list of this year’s Green Ribbon Schools:
Public Schools
- Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary, Saddleback Unified School District, Orange County (Green Achiever)
- Redwood High, Sequoia Union High School District, San Mateo County (Green Achiever)
- Jefferson Elementary, Carlsbad Unified School District, San Diego County (Green Achiever)
- Nancy R. Kordyak Elementary, Rialto Unified School District, San Bernardino County (Gold)
- Eisenhower Senior High, Rialto Unified School District, San Bernardino County (Gold)
- Sebastopol Independent Charter, Sebastopol Union School District, Sonoma County (Silver)
- Parkview Elementary, Hueneme Elementary School District, Ventura County (Silver)
- Mary Bragg Elementary, ABC Unified School District, Los Angeles County (Silver)
- Henry Elementary, Rialto Unified School District, San Bernardino County (Silver)
- Oxnard High, Oxnard Union High School District, Ventura County (Silver)
- Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary, Rialto Unified School District, San Bernardino County (Silver)
- Bella Mente Montessori Academy, Vista Unified School District, San Diego County (Silver)
- Community Roots Academy, Capistrano Unified School District, Orange County (Bronze)
- Hollister High, San Benito High School District, San Benito County (Bronze)
Local Educational Agencies
- Moreno Valley Unified School District, Riverside County (Green Achiever)
- Cabrillo Unified School District, San Mateo County (Silver)
- Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Solano County (Silver)
- Rio School District, Ventura County (Silver)
- Fremont Union High School District, Santa Clara County (Silver)
- San Joaquin County Office of Education, San Joaquin County (Silver)
Private School
- Bellarmine College Preparatory, Santa Clara County (Green Achiever)
For more information, visit the California Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Award Program webpage.
The 2023 California Green Ribbon Schools Award Ceremony will be hosted at Santiago STEAM Magnet School in early May.