Peninsula School Chosen For Nationwide Environmental Award

SAN MATEO, CA — A Peninsula school was one of 27 schools in the country to be recognized as a 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School, an award given to schools that effectively reduce environmental impact and costs, improve health and wellness and offer effective sustainability education.

The Nueva School, a private school, was also one of two Bay Area schools to receive the recognition. The other was Los Altos High School in Santa Clara County. The Nueva School has two locations in San Mateo County — a lower and middle school campus in Hillsborough and an upper school division in San Mateo.

In a report nominating the school, the California Department of Education cited The Nueva School's "exemplary environmental performance" in both of its campuses. The school built the first LEED Gold K-12 building in the country and won the 2008 American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability. The San Mateo campus is entirely LEED Gold-certified.

"This significant achievement is a reflection of Nueva’s genuine embrace of and commitment to environmental citizenship," said Lee Fertig, the head of school, in a news release.

The report also praised both campuses for having a "comprehensive view of nature from their classrooms," including an urban forest in Hillsborough and a green meadow in San Mateo. These outdoor spaces have allowed the school to take advantage of nature during COVID-19.

Sarah Koning, Director of Environmental Citizenship for The Nueva School, called the recognition an honor that "speaks to the passion and commitment of the entire community."

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona congratulated the recipients for offering healthy, safe and efficient school environments.

"The pandemic has driven home the vital importance of school buildings and grounds; health and wellness; and hands-on authentic learning," Cardona said in a news release. "Not surprisingly, many of our honorees support students in underserved communities, proving once again that green schools' practices, encompassing best practices school operations, health, and environmental learning, are critical tools to advance equity."