Illinois Green Schools Project

Go green in your school by participating in the Illinois Green Schools Project, a program of Illinois Green Alliance. The Illinois Green Schools Project brings together students, teachers, and staff to collaborate in a year-long project-based challenge to devise and implement creative no- to low-cost sustainable practices.

School registration for the 2022-23 cohort closed on September 13, 2022. Join our email list to be notified of upcoming registrations.

Learn more about schools' experience in the program:

Download the Flyer

Participating schools receive resources and support from a Green Schools Mentor to guide project implementation. Now in its third year, join the cohort of schools who are implementing a sustainability project with educational tools and mentor guidance.

2022–2023 Cohort of Schools

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School — Glen Ellyn, IL
Adlai E. Stevenson High School — Lincolnshire, IL
Anna Jonesboro Community High School — Anna, IL
Association House High School — Chicago, IL
Benjamin Franklin Elementary — Glen Ellyn, IL
Cairo School — Cairo, IL
Carbondale Community High School — Carbondale, IL
Carmel Catholic High School — Mundelein, IL
Carruthers Elementary School — Murphysboro, IL
Carterville High School — Carterville, IL
DuQuoin High School — DuQuoin, IL
Family Matters — Chicago, IL
Grace Holistic Center for Education — Yorkville, IL
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School — Oak Park, IL
Half Day School — Lincolnshire, IL
Immaculate Conception St. Joseph — Chicago, IL
Kelvyn Park High School — Chicago, IL
Libertyville High School — Libertyville, IL
Lincoln Middle School — Park Ridge, IL
Marion High School — Marion, IL
Marion Junior High School — Marion, IL
Marist High School — Chicago, IL
Milledgeville High School — Milledgeville, IL
Murphysboro Middle School — Murphysboro, IL
Pleasantdale Elementary — LaGrange, IL
River Trails Middle School — Mount Prospect, IL
Roosevelt Elementary School — Park Ridge, IL
Salem Community High School — Salem, IL
Shiloh High School — Hume, IL
Skinner North Classical School — Chicago, IL
Solorio Academy High School — Chicago, IL
St. Genevieve Catholic School — Chicago, IL
Stillman Valley High School/Junior High — Stillman Valley, IL
Thomas Elementary School — Carbondale, IL
Uplift Community High School — Chicago, IL
Whitney M. Young High School — Chicago, IL
Whittier Elementary School — Downers Grove, IL
William H. Ray Elementary — Chicago, IL
Wolcott College Prep — Chicago, IL
York Community High School — Elmhurst, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

For Educators & School Staff

Why participate in the Illinois Green Schools Project?

Gain access to tools and support to navigate your green schools journey, no matter where your school is starting from.
Students, teachers, and staff work together to create healthier, sustainable learning environments.
Receive support and guidance from a Green Schools Mentor and connect students to green building careers.
Connect with a network of Green Schools Champions that are sharing resources, best practices, and challenges in undertaking school sustainability initiatives.
Earn recognition for green schools work through an annual celebration and create a pathway for recognition in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program.

What schools can participate in the Illinois Green Schools Project?

How can my school participate in the Illinois Green Schools Project?

To participate in the Illinois Green Schools Project your school will complete the registration form (Registration for the 2022-23 school year opens August 1). Each school that registers will need approval to participate from the head of school or principal prior to completing the registration.
Additionally, each Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as the Green Team Sponsor. This Sponsor will work together with the Green Schools Mentor and Green Team to identify, investigate, and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.

What is included in the final submission for the Illinois Green Schools Project?

Illinois Green Schools Project participating schools submit a short written report, impact stats, along with a visual representation to share results of the project, not limited to photos, drawings, videos or other media. Photo releases are also required along with the submission.
These materials will help us celebrate and highlight your school’s accomplishments during the Illinois Green Schools Project Celebration Event.

Who should participate on the Green Team?

The Green Team can be existing or new to your school. Student involvement is essential and should include a class or club of students. Additionally, each Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as Green Team Sponsor. This Sponsor will work together with the Green Schools Mentor and Green Team to develop and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.
The Green Team can include and get support from other Green Schools Champions like school administration, teachers, school nurses, facility managers, custodians, food services, educational support staff, student organizations, parents, parent-teacher organizations, and community organizations engaged in the school.

For Green Schools Mentors

Who are the Illinois Green Schools Project Mentors?

What are the Green Schools Mentor responsibilities?

Mentors should have a passion for creating sustainable learning environments and working with schools.
Complete the Green Schools Mentor registration (Registration for the 2022-23 school year opens in August).
Attend a Green Schools Mentor Orientation.
Commit to 2-5 hours of working with your school each month. Green Schools Mentors interact and communicate with schools by phone, email, video conferencing, and in-person meetings (as health and safety guidelines allow).
Participate in Illinois Green Schools Project meet-ups and activities.
Provide guidance on project identification, investigation, and implementation.
Provide sustainability expertise and guidance to your assigned school.
Assist with documentation and preparation of final submission.
Attend the Celebration Event.
Be an active member of the Illinois Green Alliance. Learn more and become a member.

How do I become a Green Schools Mentor?

Who will I be working with during the Illinois Green Schools Project?

As a Green Schools Mentor, you will be matched with a K-12 school in Illinois to devise and implement a no- to low-cost sustainability project for their school. Mentors provide guidance and expertise as they work together with their school to implement their sustainability project.
Student involvement is essential in the Illinois Green Schools Project and should include a class or club of students. Additionally, each school Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as Green Team Sponsor. The Green Schools Mentor will work together with the Green Team Sponsor and Green Team to develop and implement the school’s selected project and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.
The Green Team can include and get support from other Green Schools Champions like school administration, teachers, school nurses, facility managers, custodians, food services, educational support staff, student organizations, parents, parent-teacher organizations, and community organizations engaged in the school.

Collaborating with others helps create stronger learning communities. I was excited to hear about the Illinois Green Schools Project because working together would allow us to share ideas with other schools and community groups. I enjoy hearing what other schools are doing and how we can improve our own green efforts.

Tracy Gordon

4th Grade Teacher, Half Day School in Lincolnshire, IL

Support the Illinois Green Schools Project

Spread the word with your community

Download

Make an individual donation

Donate

Earn recognition for your sustainability work.

Earn recognition at the national level through the Green Ribbon Schools Program.

Illinois Green Ribbon Schools

Past Project Highlights

A mentor and student working on a project together

Building Healthy Habits

Turning Over an (Old) Leaf

Planting Seeds & Dreams

2021-22 Green Schools Project Impact

See the Impact of the 2021-22 Cohort

Ready to start your green schools journey?

Get in touch about advancing sustainability at your school.

The Illinois Green Schools Project is supported by:


Illinois Green Schools Project Interest Form
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Tell us about your interest in advancing sustainability at your school. *

Illinois Green Schools Project

Learn more about schools' experience in the program:

2022–2023 Cohort of Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

For Educators & School Staff

For Green Schools Mentors

Tracy Gordon

Support the Illinois Green Schools Project

Spread the word with your community

Make an individual donation

Earn recognition for your sustainability work.

Past Project Highlights

2021-22 Green Schools Project Impact

Urban Prairie Waldorf School: Early Childhood Water Pump

William Beye Elementary School: Understanding Our Impact on the Environment

John Barry Elementary School: Recycling & Gardening

Whitney Young Magnet High School: Green Team’s Earth Week

Academy for Global Citizenship: Waste and Energy Vermi Challenge

Solorio Academy High School: Zero Plastic Project

Oak Park and River Forest High School: Building Sustainable Habits

Prairieland Kids Daycare and Learning Center: From Preschoolers to Master Gardeners

Vernon Hills High School: School-Wide Zero Waste Strategic Plan

Uplift Community High School: Living Wall

Southside Occupational Academy: Southside Monarch Butterfly Conservation Program

Murphysboro Middle School: Putting Waste in its Place

Lockport Township High School: Learning and Living out ESG

Libertyville High School: Whole-School Sustainability in Action

Carruthers Elementary: A Year of Conservation and Creativity

Pleasantdale Elementary School: Color the World with Butterflies

Lincoln Middle School: Lincoln Goes Green

Skinner North Classical School: Taking Charge of Energy Use

Mother McAuley High School: Promoting Sustainable School-Wide Changes

Lincoln Elementary School: Native Garden Classroom

Wolcott College Prep: Energy Audit and Allyship in Action

Half Day School: Zero Waste School Lunch Program

Edgar Allan Poe Classical School: You Grow Edgar Allan Poe Garden

Ready to start your green schools journey?

Illinois Green Schools Project Interest Form



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