Sustainability at LPS

Eco-Schools at LPS

What is the Eco-Schools program?

Eco-Schools U.S. offers a certification program for elementary through secondary schools that nurtures environmental learning and climate action through the themes: wildlife and biodiversity, climate, and healthy and resilient communities.

Each year, schools apply for certification by undertaking environment and nature-based actions, campaigns, and projects, and then recording them in the online Eco-Schools Certification Application (ECA) to earn points. At the end of the year, school applications are assessed and awarded a final certification level.

There are five levels of certification for the Eco-Schools program:

Participant

35 points

Bronze

50 points

Silver

65 points

Gold

80 points

Green Flag

100 points

Benefits of the Eco-Schools Program

The Eco-Schools Certification Program overlaps heavily with the Green Schools Recognition Program, which awards schools with the most points with $500 in funding for future sustainability projects.

As well as, Eco-Schools Action Plans can be applied toward existing LPS programs like science classes, school gardens, clubs like green teams, and waste management practices.

Eco-Schools Action Guides

Can’t decide where to start? Explore these action plan pathways below! See more suggested pathways, or full action library. 

Or, check out the Eco-Schools Cohort for more guidance!

“BEGINNER” poster shows a smiling child in a blue checkered shirt holding native plants outdoors, promoting sustainability and wildlife conservation.
Poster titled “Visual & Fine Arts” shows four children creating colorful sidewalk chalk art outdoors, with sustainability logos below.

Eco-Schools Activities

Points for Eco-Schools certification are gathered through the completion of sustainable actions described on Eco-Schools action cards. Eco-Schools actions can grant anywhere from 10 points to 25 points for a single activity. In order to be eligible for Eco-Schools certification, there are two required activities:

About Your Eco-Schools Program: This card must be completed as it is directly connected to the Eco-Schools Framework. Building and convening a strong action team is a recipe for success. Here you will express the team’s goals.

Create an Eco-Code: Eco-Schools Framework Connection! What is the school’s Eco-Code or purpose for this work? Connect with the school community to create a representation of the diverse sustainability efforts in progress at your school through a written statement or associated artwork.

These required activities add up to a total of 20 points, which is only 15 points from reaching the ‘participant’ level of certification. 

Alongside the required activities, there are many Eco-School’s actions that LPS Schools may already be eligible for!

These activities include:

Waste

Waste audit (15)

Paper and Cardboard Recycling (25)

Vermicomposting & school composting (20) 

Curriculum

Learn about ecosystem and forests (20)

Environmental film screening (20)

Gardening

Edible Garden (20)

Pollinator Garden (25)

Indoor gardening & greenhouse (20)

Sit spot (10)

Group touring a large solar panel array on a sunny day; a guide gestures toward the panels as visitors listen on grassy grounds.
Two children kneel outdoors, planting in a garden bed beside a rock, backpacks on, with a trowel nearby; teamwork and curiosity abound.
Young volunteers in gloves gather outdoors near trees, holding a large black trash bag during a sunny, collaborative cleanup effort.
Visitors explore a lush greenhouse filled with tropical plants, hanging Spanish moss, and colorful foliage, creating a calm, curious atmosphere.
Untitled design - 2026-08-25T152442.528

Eco-Schools Cohort

The Certified Eco-Schools Cohort is customized support, through LPS Sustainability, on integrating Eco-Schools activities into classrooms and extracurricular activities, with the goal of a select number of schools reaching Green Flag Certification (100+ points) by the end of the 2026-2027 school year.

How to Apply?
If interested, please fill out the Google Form to apply to be one of the select schools in The LPS Certified Eco-Schools Cohort by Friday, September 4.

How does this connect to LPS?
Existing LPS programs including curriculum, school gardens, and more overlap with Eco-Schools action card activities and are already being accomplished through, for example, existing recycling efforts and Green Schools Recognition Program activities.

Why should you apply?

LPS Sustainability will provide:

  • Assistance with registration and account creation
  • Customized individual support to reach Green Flag Certification
  • Event planning resources for Action Cards best suited to each school
  • Quarterly individual or team meetings with LPS Sustainability
  • Reminders and goals throughout the school year to stay on track
LPS Certified Eco-Schools Cohort 2026-2027 School Year Mission: The Certified Eco-Schools Cohort is customized support to integrate Eco-Schools actions into classrooms, with the goal of each cohort school to reach Green Flag Certification by the end of the 2026-2027 school year. Steps: Apply for certification by completing action cards Record actions in application throughout the school year Applications are awarded a final certification level Why Apply? LPS Sustainability will provide: Assistance with registration and account creation Customized individual support to reach Green Flag Certification Event planning resources for Action Cards best suited to each school Quarterly individual or team meetings with LPS Sustainability Reminders and goals throughout the school year to stay on track Apply: APPLY HERE Apply through September 4th to be considered for the LPS Certified Eco-Schools Cohort! There are a select number of spaces available for the cohort. For more information, visit the Eco-Schools website. Reach out to lsmith9@lps.org with any questions.

Eco-Schools Updates

Holmes Elementary school has gone above and beyond, achieving Green Flag School Recognition two years in a row!

Holmes recieved a shoutout from the Eco-Schools program for one of their many completed activities, The Mayor’s Monarch Pledge!

Monarch butterfly with orange-and-black patterned wings rests on pink flowers, surrounded by green leaves in a peaceful garden scene.

Collaboration and Teamwork Create Success for Youth-Led Pollinator Advocacy and Civic Engagement

Green circular Eco-Schools U.S. National Wildlife Federation seal featuring “2026,” an open book with leaves, and stars, conveying environmental education.

Apply Now!
Apply Now!Instructions

Questions? Contact LPS Sustainability at sustainability@lps.org