About Maryland Green Schools

This program provides Pre-K to 12th-grade students with educational opportunities that:

• empower them to make changes to reduce environmental impact, 
• practice environmental stewardship, 
• encourage sustainability, 
• increase awareness of how our relationship with the environment ultimately impacts public health and society and fosters environmental literacy.

Founded in 1999, the Maryland Green Schools Program (MDGS) is a sustainable school program that is nationally recognized as having a significant impact on students and schools. The program aligns with the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and supports Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements and standards.  For more information, click here.

Read about the research conducted on the influence of Green Schools on student achievement in K-12 classrooms.

Certified MCPS Schools

As of 2025, 113 MCPS schools have voluntarily earned and maintained MAEOE Green School certification.  Click here for a list of those schools.

Following the start of 2024, there are 654 Maryland Green Schools, encompassing about 35% of approximately 2,200 public and independent schools across the state. These schools collectively cater to around 430,000 PreK to 12th-grade students. The Maryland Green School communities represent a significant potential to uphold and enhance environmental sustainability in schools and on school grounds.

How to become a MDGS school?

To become certified, schools submit a package documenting their efforts in curriculum/instruction, professional development, school engagement, and partnerships.

The MCPS Green Centers will provide support and resources for you to successfully submit your application. Email sustainability@mcpsmd.org to request assistance. 

For a quick guide to the application process, click here or visit the MAEOE website for additional information and a step-by-step guide.  

Maryland Green Centers and Partners

The Division of Sustainability and Compliance, School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) program and the Outdoor Environmental and Education Programs (OEEP) are two certified Maryland Green Centers at MCPS. The Maryland Green Center Award recognizes MCPS' commitment to the Maryland Green Schools Program and to supporting schools with environmental literacy implementation. 

To view a list of all Green Centers in Montgomery County, click here.

Examples of MDGS applications

Here are exemplars of successful applications in MCPS:

Ashburton Elementary School (Sustained Level Recertification)

Kensington Parkwood Elementary School (Recertification)

Silver Creek Middle School (New Certification)

Sligo Middle School (Recertification)

Thomas Wootton High School (New Certification)

Walt Whitman High School (New Certification)

Professional Development and Training Sessions

MCPS Maryland Green Centers and partners offer professional development and training sessions to assist you in achieving a Maryland Green School certification/recertification for your school.  Email sustainability@mcpsmd.org to be added to the mailing list for periodic announcements of upcoming opportunities.  

You may also visit MAEOE directly to view a list of trainings, meetings, and sessions.

Grants and Stipends

The Division of Sustainability and Compliance offers three types of stipends that are available to staff leading sustainability programs and to increase participation in the Maryland Green School (MDGS) certification program.  These stipends have been in place since the 2022-23 school year and replace incentive awards previously awarded to a limited number of schools.  The change is to acknowledge the admirable efforts of staff at all schools who are leading sustainability at their school system-wide.  Following MCPS practices, both MCEA and SEIU are eligible for these stipends.  Please email us any  questions at sustainability@mcpsmd.org

Four funding opportunities from MAEOE ranging from $250 to $2,500 that include teacher stipend for leading a Green Team, Student Action Grants, Transportation Grants, and Teacher Professional Development Grants.  To apply, click here. 

Need More Information?

Do you still have questions about the Maryland Green Schools certification/recertification?  Contact MCPS Maryland Green Centers (SERT and OEEP):

• Email: sustainability@mcpsmd.org or MCPSOutdoors@mcpsmd.org
• Telephone: 240-740-3210 or 240-740-1404 
• Visit MAEOE for answers to many of the frequently asked questions.