Green Schools

At City Schools, we are renovating and constructing energy-efficient schools filled with natural light and clean air, creating outdoor classrooms, and teaching students to be aware of the environment and their role in it.

• All City Schools that are built new or substantially renovated must be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard.
• City Schools encourages students, teachers, and staff to pursue Green Schools Certification by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education. The rigorous certification addresses practices like recycling, staff professional development, environmental education and efforts with external partners. 
• As part of the 21st Century School Buildings Program, educational specifications and design standards include goals and strategies for sustainable design, construction, and operations.
• The district's comprehensive maintenance plan addresses how City Schools will maintain buildings so they are healthy places to learn and work. 
• Students, teachers and staff are all involved in the three Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle. City Schools is reducing the amount of trash and increasing the amount of recycling collected. For more information, please contact the Facilities department in the district's Operations Office.
• Students, teachers, and staff spend hours each day inside schools, and City Schools is working to ensure the high quality of the air they breathe. The means focusing on heating and cooling systems, reducing mold and mildew, using green cleaning products and practicing integrated pest management (a method to use the fewest toxic chemicals possible to rid a school of pests). For more information, contact the Health and Safety department in the district's Operations Office.
• City Schools works with partners to make school grounds greener, more inviting places to play and learn. Even small outside areas can become outdoor classrooms that help students learn about the environment — and at the same time help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay by preventing rain water from washing over paved surfaces directly into storm drains.

Find out more in our sustainability plan.

Green schools network

The Baltimore City Green Schools Network began in 2010 and consists of students, administrators, staff, and community partners working together to increase green and sustainable practices and environmental education. We welcome your interest in and support of our efforts to minimize the environmental impact of our buildings, educate school communities about the connections between daily actions and the environment, and empower our students to be leaders in creating a more sustainable city and society.

Energy conservation program

To maximize energy savings, City Schools is

• Buying energy and managing its cost by participating in a wholesale portfolio program, the Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee. The program has been highly successful in delivering lower costs on a consistent basis. 
• Educating students, staff, and the community about the importance of energy conservation.
• Capturing rebates and grants available for school construction projects and coordinating with Baltimore Gas and Electric to install smart meters that ensure accurate readings and fewer billing errors.
• Tracking current and historical utility consumption and costs for each school, and providing these data to school leaders.