LPS Awards & Recognition
2025 ENERGY STAR Certifications
38 LPS buildings earned ENERGY STAR certification in 2025!
Of those buildings, 28 recertified after receiving this energy efficiency recognition in 2024, and 10 LPS sites achieved certification for the first time!
Mayor's Local Food Challenge
Lincoln Public Schools is being recognized for achieving Platinum level status in the Mayor’s Local Food Challenge. Platinum level status is the highest, requiring 18 or more local food orders over an 18-week period.
The Mayor’s Local Food Challenge focuses on supporting local agriculture, helping local food systems grow stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable. The Nutrition Services department purchased local foods during the challenge, and does an excellent job supporting local producers year-round!
2024-25 Tree Campus K-12 Recognitions
Three new schools have received recognition for their commitment to tree-focused education!
Robinson Elementary School, Southeast High School, and Holmes Elementary School all achieved many goals in the pursuit of this honor, including planting trees around their school buildings and a variety of exciting tree-related activities!
2024 ENERGY STAR Certifications
31 LPS buildings earned ENERGY STAR certification in 2024!
Of those buildings, 21 recertified after receiving this energy efficiency recognition in 2023, and 10 LPS sites achieved certification for the first time!
2023-24 Tree Campus K-12 Recognitions
In an exciting first for Lincoln Public Schools, two schools received recognition for their commitment to tree-focused education!
Northeast High School and Kahoa Elementary School achieved multiple goals in the pursuit of this honor, including planting trees around their school buildings.
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.
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.
