San Diego Area School Earns U.S. Green Ribbon Award

SAN DIEGO, CA — A school in San Diego County was recently honored as a 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.

Pacific Ridge School, a private school in Carlsbad, was among 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions, and one early learning center across the country that were recognized for their "innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and offer effective sustainability education."

"This year's U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools are leading school transformation in states that will help ensure all students in all communities have the opportunity to grow to become strong and healthy learners," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

Five honorees were chosen in California. Pacific Ridge School was the only San Diego area school that received the recognition.

Students at Pacific Ridge School participate in service-learning projects in collaboration with local sustainability-focused organizations for beach clean-ups and wildlife conservation efforts, according to the California Department of Education. The school's Global Travel program provides students with opportunities to learn about economic dynamics, sustainable strategies of different cultures, and place-based environmental concepts.

Pacific Ridge School's Upper School Urban Agriculture Club manages an organic garden and shares its produce with the community through on-campus farmers markets to raise funds in support of garden projects.

"Since Pacific Ridge School opened its doors in 2007, we have led with environmental sustainability as a core tenet of our program and an ethos of our school," Pacific Ridge Head of School Bob Ogle said in a statement.

"Our solar panel addition last year was, in some ways, a final step in making our campus reliably sustainable into the future," Ogle said. "We are excited to be honored with the Green Ribbon awards and recognize that the work of maintaining a sustainable community continues in the day-to-day ways in which we live as a school."

Along with the federal announcement, the state Department of Education recognized the 2024 California Green Ribbon Schools.

Pacific Ridge School and Bella Mente Montessori Academy in the Vista Unified School District were two of 20 schools honored with a Green Ribbon award. Pacific Ridge was named one of only five "Green Achievers," while Mente Montessori Academy achieved Silver status.

In addition, National School District was one of 14 school districts to receive the Green Ribbon award. The district also earned Silver status.

"Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year's distinguished honorees," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a statement. "California Green Ribbon Schools stand as beacons of innovation that showcase pioneering approaches toward enhanced indoor air quality, the implementation of outdoor classrooms, and comprehensive environmental education initiatives."