State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2025 California Green Ribbon Schools Award Honorees

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 29 schools, seven school districts, and three county offices of education have been honored with the 2025 California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) awards. Among these recipients, five have achieved the highest distinction as “Green Achievers.” These honorees are recognized for their outstanding efforts in resource conservation, health promotion, and environmental literacy.

“Our California Green Ribbon Schools exemplify the values of innovation, resiliency, and creativity that drive our efforts to make every school community a healthy and sustainable learning environment for our students.” Superintendent Thurmond said. “I congratulate each of these schools on your incredible accomplishments and contributions to our state.”

California’s 2025 CA-GRS Green Achiever honorees are:

• Laguna Beach Unified School District, Orange County
• San Mateo County Office of Education, San Mateo County
• Bella Mente Montessori Academy, Vista Unified School District, San Diego County
• McNear Elementary School, Petaluma City Schools, Sonoma County
• Saint Francis High School (Private), Santa Clara County

The California Green Ribbon Schools Award program evaluates applications from public schools, districts, and county offices of education to recognize outstanding achievements in environmental excellence. Private school awards are conferred by the California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO).

More details on CA-GRS Green Achiever honorees and a list of the California Green Ribbon Schools honorees are below. For more information, please visit the CDE Green Ribbon Schools Award Program web page.

2025 CA-GRS Green Achiever Honorees

Laguna Beach Unified School District, Orange County

Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, health, and environmental literacy through initiatives that promote conservation, wellness, and education. The district aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 by implementing renewable energy projects, waste diversion programs, and water conservation efforts. To support these goals, LBUSD is updating its 10-year Facility Master Plan (FMP) to align with Energy Management Plan (EMP) projects, establishing a structured framework for securing funding and implementing energy improvements. The district fosters health and wellness by maintaining pesticide-free, organic landscaping and enhancing indoor air quality using nontoxic cleaning products, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers, and UV-filtered heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Students and staff benefit from locally sourced meals, garden literacy programs, and a nature therapy framework that integrates outdoor experiences into social–emotional learning. LBUSD develops high-quality environmental literacy for students through professional development for educators, teacher-designed, environmentally focused interdisciplinary units, hands-on experiences, and innovative programs like the Fire, Land, Ocean, and Water (FLOW) curricular integration initiative and the Poseidon Stormwater Project. Strategic enhancements, including outdoor science gardens, inspire critical thinking and foster meaningful connections to local ecosystems. Through these integrated efforts, LBUSD creates an educational environment that equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges and lead sustainable lives.

San Mateo County Office of Education, San Mateo County

The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) operates several key facilities and programs, including its main office, the Special Services Center site, and various schools. These schools encompass two community schools, two court schools, two special education programs, and an outdoor education program, all of which support diverse student populations across the county. SMCOE demonstrates a robust commitment to sustainability, environmental literacy, and student and staff wellness through a range of initiatives. Since the establishment of the San Mateo Outdoor Education program in 1968, SMCOE has expanded its capacity by hiring its first Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Coordinator in 2017, a Green Facilities and Operations Analyst in 2020, and a Director of Sustainable Facilities and Construction in 2023, who supports districts in implementing sustainable practices and building standards. The SMCOE partnership with Peninsula Clean Energy has facilitated the installation of solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations while reducing energy costs. The Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative (ELSI) advances district-wide assessments, data-driven sustainability projects, and staff training on waste diversion. Staff wellness programs, led by the Live Well @SMCOE Committee, promote physical and mental health, often integrating environmental activities. Students benefit from enhanced mental health resources, physical activity programs, and nutrition education supported by partnerships with local agencies. Through effective environmental education programs like the Environmental Solutionary Teacher Fellowship and Youth Climate Ambassadors, SMCOE empowers educators and students to address climate change and sustainability challenges. Recognized with numerous awards, SMCOE continues to drive transformation across districts throughout California, fostering sustainable and equitable learning environments.

Bella Mente Montessori Academy, Vista Unified School District, San Diego County

Bella Mente Montessori Academy (Bella Mente) has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through its comprehensive energy conservation, health and wellness, and ecological literacy efforts. The school’s Energy Action Plan, developed following a 2018 energy audit, promotes energy efficiency through student-led projects like the “Energy Guardians” and infrastructure upgrades such as solar panels, LED lighting, and HVAC systems. Bella Mente has achieved notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. Water conservation efforts, including xeriscaping, low-flow fixtures, and stormwater management, have significantly reduced indoor and outdoor water use. Waste management practices focus on recycling, composting, and minimizing single-use materials, supported by student-driven initiatives. Transportation improvements like bike racks, carpool incentives, and a no-idling policy promote eco-friendly commuting. Bella Mente utilizes environmentally friendly cleaning products and fosters a safe indoor environment with features like HEPA filters and natural lighting. The garden-to-table program, native landscaping, and wellness initiatives like Fit Fridays promote physical and mental health. Environmental literacy is emphasized through garden education, project-based learning, and STEM-focused activities like hydroponics and waste reduction, aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Bella Mente partnerships with local organizations support environmental stewardship, fostering civic responsibility and preparing students to address global environmental challenges.

McNear Elementary School, Petaluma City Schools, Sonoma County

McNear Elementary School (McNear) integrates environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and ecological literacy into a holistic educational approach rooted in its natural and cultural heritage. Located near the Petaluma River, the school leverages its natural surroundings, including Thompson Creek and diverse habitats, as living classrooms to enhance learning and foster environmental responsibility. Sustainability efforts include recycling and composting programs, drought-resistant landscaping, energy conservation practices, and alternative transportation initiatives. Health and wellness programs feature Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports, on-site mental health services, daily physical education, nutritious meals, and mindfulness activities like nature journaling by the creek. Environmental literacy classes incorporate land acknowledgments, Indigenous stewardship, and interdisciplinary projects such as trout raising, habitat restoration, and native garden design, blending STEM learning with civic responsibility. Facilities like the McNear Arts and Science Center, Maker Lab, and an expanded library provide students with design spaces to develop environmental solutions through multidisciplinary activities. Partnerships with organizations, their local waste hauler, Safe Routes to School, and local environmental organizations further enhance sustainability and student engagement. These efforts position McNear as a leader in cultivating lifelong resilience, wellness, and sustainability values within the Petaluma City Schools District.

Saint Francis High School (Private), Santa Clara County

Saint Francis High School (SFHS), a private Catholic institution in Mountain View, exemplifies a holistic commitment to sustainability, health, and interdisciplinary learning through its environmental initiatives, wellness programs, and educational practices. Over the past decade, the school has reduced energy use by 11.3 percent, installed solar panels to meet 51 percent of energy needs, and implemented building features like auto-dimming LED lighting and heat-reflective roofs. Water conservation efforts include low-flow fixtures, drought-resistant landscaping, and rainwater bioswales, while waste management has improved through composting, recycling, and tri-bin systems. Wellness initiatives feature updated facilities with MERV-13 filtration, bioswales, and artificial turf to enhance health while reducing pesticide and water usage. The school prioritizes social–emotional learning, Health and Fitness courses, and a robust Wellness Center alongside retreats and extracurricular programs promoting physical and emotional well-being. SFHS integrates interdisciplinary environmental education through Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science, Earth Week civic engagement, and the Environmental Club, fostering student leadership and linking STEM, ethics, and civic responsibility to address global challenges. Students participate in hands-on projects, such as designing climate solutions, exploring sustainable food systems, and creating renewable energy and robotics innovations. SFHS nurtures global stewardship and community engagement through global and domestic service trips and a curriculum that emphasizes holistic education.

All California Green Ribbon School Awardees

Public Schools

• Bella Mente Montessori Academy, Vista Unified, San Diego County (Green Achiever)
• McNear Elementary School, Petaluma City Schools, Sonoma County (Green Achiever)
• 24th Street Elementary, Los Angeles Unified, Los Angeles County (Gold)
• Captain Leland F. Norton Elementary, San Bernardino Unified, San Bernardino County (Gold)
• Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino County (Gold)
• Marylin Avenue STEAM Academy, Livermore Valley Joint Unified, Alameda County (Gold)
• Oxnard High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Gold)
• Temecula Luiseño Elementary, Temecula Valley Union, Riverside County (Gold)
• Ysabel Barnett Elementary, Temecula Valley Union, Riverside County (Gold)
• Calabasas Elementary, Pajaro Valley Unified, Santa Cruz County (Silver)
• Charlotte N. Werner Elementary, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino County (Silver)
• Community Roots Academy, Capistrano Unified, Orange County (Silver)
• Helen L. Dollahan Elementary, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino County (Silver)
• Mary Bragg Elementary, ABC Unified, Los Angeles County (Silver)
• Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, Petaluma City Schools, Sonoma County (Silver)
• Oliveira Elementary, Fremont Unified, Alameda County (Silver)
• Portola High, Irvine Unified, Orange County (Silver)
• South Junior High, Anaheim Union High, Orange County (Silver)
• Adolfo Camarillo High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Bronze)
• Channel Islands High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Bronze)
• Community Montessori, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego County (Bronze)
• El Toro High, Saddleback Valley Unified, Orange County (Bronze)
• Hueneme High, Oxnard Union High, Ventura County (Bronze)
• Kimbark Elementary, San Bernardino City Unified, San Bernardino County (Bronze)
• Mission San Jose Elementary, Fremont Unified, Alameda County (Bronze)
• Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, Burbank Unified, Los Angeles County (Bronze)

Local Educational Agencies

• Laguna Beach Unified School District, Orange County (Green Achiever)
• San Mateo County Office of Education, San Mateo County (Green Achiever)
• Mountain View Whisman School District, Santa Clara County (Gold)
• National School District, San Diego County (Gold)
• San Joaquin County Office of Education, San Joaquin County (Gold)
• Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Santa Cruz County (Gold)
• Anaheim Union High School District, Orange County (Silver)
• Moorpark Unified School District, Ventura County (Silver)
• Petaluma City Schools District, Sonoma County (Bronze)
• San Mateo Union High School District, San Mateo County (Bronze)

Private Schools

• Saint Francis High School, Santa Clara County (Green Achiever)
• Lycée Français de San Francisco, San Francisco County (Gold)
• Heritage Oak Private Education, Orange County (Silver)

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100