LPS Awards & Recognition

2023 ENERGY STAR Certifications

22 LPS buildings earned ENERGY STAR certification in 2023! 

All nine of 2022’s certified schools achieved recertification, plus 12 first-time schools and the Steve Joel District Leadership Center.

Best in Class: Energy Efficiency Plus Health

The recent indoor air quality improvements at Park Middle School earned LPS national recognition through the 2023 Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign. The U. S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Education collaborated to honor 17 school districts across the country for their work to improve energy efficiency and support a healthy learning environment.

Photo credit: LPS Communications

Nebraska Recycling Council Advocacy Award

Lincoln Public Schools is the recipient of the 2022 Advocacy Award from the Nebraska Recycling Council. This award recognizes “significant achievements in advancing resource recovery” in the district, as well as “leadership and perseverance in supporting recycling and waste diversion systems.”

2022 ENERGY STAR Certifications

9 LPS schools achieved ENERGY STAR certification in 2022:

  • Arnold Elementary- 87
  • Belmont Elementary – 96 (also 2021 certified)
  • Fredstrom Elementary – 88 
  • Hill Elementary – 92
  • Humann Elementary – 97
  • Irving Middle – 97 (also 2021 certified)
  • Lefler Middle – 96
  • Maxey Elementary – 85
  • Pyrtle Elementary – 99

Food Recovery Challenge Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 recognized Lincoln Public School’s Hartley Elementary School for notable achievements and innovations in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2020. 

Green Ribbon Awards

  • Lincoln Public Schools – 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Awardee
  • Irving Middle – 2016 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
  • Prescott Elementary – 2016 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
  • Mickle Middle – 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School

Keep Nebraska Beautiful Environmental Awards

School Recycling Award

  • First Place: Pound Middle (2018), Morley Elementary (2016), Irving Middle (2015)
  • Second Place: Holmes Elementary (2016), Sheridan Elementary (2015)

Youth Group / School Award

  • First Place Secondary: Mickle Middle (2018)
  • First Place Elementary: Lakeview Elementary (2018)
  • Second Place Elementary: Everett Elementary (2018)

Center for Green Schools District Scholarship Awardee

Lincoln Public Schools was awarded one of five scholarships from the Center for Green Schools in 2016. This scholarship is based on sustainability progress in the district, as well as demonstrating a focus on whole-school sustainability supported by professional development for staff.

WasteCap NE Member of the Year

Lincoln Public Schools was recognized by WasteCap Nebraska as the non-profit’s member of the year in 2016. LPS earned this recognition through its extensive partnership and engagement with WasteCap Nebraska.