Overview, eligibility, and sign up

Green Schools Program

The Green Schools Program supports K-12 schools, school districts, and students in King County. We offer tools and guidance to help schools reduce waste and care for the environment. We're committed to reducing barriers to participation and providing resources equitably. Our goal is to make sure all schools can meet their sustainability goals.

The program focuses on 7 sustainability areas, called benchmarks. Schools receive recognition badges for carrying out the sustainability practices in each benchmark. Completing benchmarks helps schools and districts conserve resources, protect the environment, and reduce costs related to waste disposal, energy, and water use.

Program benchmarks include:

• Waste reduction
• Recycling collection
• Food waste reduction
• Organics collection
• Climate: Energy and transportation
• Water conservation
• Schoolyard stewardship

How to become a Green School

Public and private K-12 schools and school districts in King County, outside the City of Seattle, are eligible to enroll in the program. Schools and districts must be active participants to receive program recognition. Register using our online form:

• School application form
• District application form

School registration criteria

• Have at least 2 staff members to support the program and serve as program contacts. We encourage having a student Green Team, but it’s not required.
• Maintain communication with the Green Schools Program representative.
• Promote the program within your school community.
• Participate in a Waste Walk Through every year.

District registration criteria

• Encourage schools to take part in the Green Schools Program.
• Identify a district staff member to serve as Green Schools Program contact.
• Maintain communication with the Green Schools Program representatives.
• Respond to school requests and support school efforts to set up sustainable practices and systems.

Recognition

Schools and districts must be actively engaged in the Green Schools Program to receive recognition. Schools can register at any time during the school year.

Once registered, schools will be provided with a Green Schools Program banner to display. The banner is also where schools will show off their recognition badges. During the 2025-2026 school year, 77participating schools earned a total of 209Green Schools Program recognition benchmarks. Five participating districts earned a total of 17 recognition benchmarks.

King County Green Schools Program 2025-2026 Recognitions

Schools can:

• Complete benchmarks in any order.
• Apply for recognition after completing all the required benchmark criteria.
• Complete as many benchmarks during the school year as they choose.
• Receive a new badge for every year the school meets or continues to meet benchmark criteria.  

Districts can:

• Apply for recognition based on the support they provide to their schools related to different benchmarks. A program representative will notify district staff once they are eligible for consideration.
• Receive a new badge for every year the district meets or continues to meet benchmark criteria.

What the Green Schools Program offers

Help and guidance. The program provides tailored support to each participating district and school. Each school is connected to a team of program representatives to help them achieve their sustainability goals. Representatives are available by phone, email, in-person meetings, and virtual meetings.

Education, engagement, and leadership opportunities for students. Students develop leadership skills while working toward their sustainability goals. Action-oriented education engages students and fosters critical thinking.

Resources. We provide information, recommendations, referrals, and limited quantities of indoor recycling and composting bins. We also provide communication tools such as announcements, articles, and signage. Explore our different options for signs, stickers, and bins. You can request resources by contacting your program representative. Participating schools will be connected to additional grants and other resource providers when available.

Recognition. Schools and districts receive banners and badges to highlight and display their efforts. This provides students and staff with an opportunity to celebrate reaching their sustainability goals.

Student Green Team support

A Student Green Team is a student group, class, community service club, science club, or other student organization. Green Teams take on a project to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Teams can be any size and may be part of an existing club or class.

While not mandatory, Green Teams are important to the Green Schools Program’s mission. They provide students with leadership opportunities and help them develop important skills.

Use our Green Team resources for ideas on how to structure and engage your Student Green Team.

Equity and social justice

The King County Green Schools Program is committed to equity and social justice. These values guide and shape the program. Our services are accessible to all, regardless of community location, income level, race, and other student demographics. We strive to be responsive, inclusive, collaborative, people-focused, and racially, culturally, and economically just.

Our priority is to assist where needs are greatest. This includes low-income communities, communities of color, and immigrant and refugee populations. Our priority districts are Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, and Renton. Priority schools are those serving 40% or more free and reduced meals.