How The Program Works

Washington Green Schools program consists of four Tiers. Each school starts at Tier 1, and then proceeds at its own pace. A school can accomplish a Tier in one year or less. To be certified at each Tier, a school needs to fulfill basic requirements and achieve a minimum number of points. Please note that this program structure may change based on the results of the pilot.

Step by Step for Tier 1.
All schools start at Tier 1. Your school will meet the requirements of Tier 1 and earn the necessary 100 points by following the steps below:

1. Form a Green Team (required)
2. Complete one Assessment from one of the five Categories (20 points)
3. Earn 10 points for actions found in each Action List in all five Categories (10 points X 5 Categories = 50 points)
   
4. Complete additional Actions or Assessments and enroll a full Green Team (30 points)
   
5. Share accomplishments with the school community and others (required)
   
6. Submit your results via the online Report Card to get certified (required) 
7. Get recognized! Inform your community about your certification through newspaper announcements and by flying your Washington Green School flag proudly. Your school will also be listed on the website. 
   

To certify in Tiers 2 and 3, your school repeats this process by choosing additional Category Assessments and Actions, and meeting the minimum required points for each Tier. Tier 4 is still under construction. See this chart for a visual of the requirements.

Categories
The following Categories are the basis of this program: 

• Energy Efficiency
• Recycling & Waste Reduction
• Toxics Reduction & Indoor Air Quality
• Transportation & Outdoor Air Quality
• Water Quality & Conservation

Each Category includes an Assessment and Action List. The Assessments and Actions can be done concurrently, but completing the Assessment first may help your Green Team choose Actions that make an important difference at your school as well as for the environment.

Student involvement is key to success with the Washington Green School program. Students will gain ownership, learn how their school operations function, and see how their daily actions affect resources. A student or group of students can take leadership roles with the Assessments by interviewing school staff, such as maintenance and facilities, and researching the answers to many of the utility questions. Students will also gain project management experience–among other benefits-by coordinating and fulfilling Actions from the lists.

Tips for Success  

• Engage school staff from the start
  
• Involve the whole school community
  
• Use this program for senior culminating projects and community service requirements
  
• Create sustainability by developing ongoing systems and ownership
  
• Involve new students
  
• Empower students to lead Actions and Assessments
  
• Inform your student body, local community, and media about your exciting efforts

Getting the Word Out 

Download this presentation about the program (.pdf) to share information about how the program works with others.