All 6 Princeton District Schools Now Certified By Sustainable Jersey

PRINCETON, NJ - Four schools in the Princeton Public School District received the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification this year.

This ensures all six PPS schools are now certified, bringing the total number of certified schools across New Jersey to 375.

Princeton High School (PHS), Princeton Middle School (PMS), Community Park Elementary, and Riverside Elementary achieved certification this year, joining Littlebrook Elementary and Johnson Park Elementary who certified in 2022.

“We are all incredibly proud of our schools’ commitment to sustainability and all of the hard work that has gone into achieving this certification. By integrating sustainable practices into our buildings, operations, and curriculum, we are not only reducing our footprint but also inspiring our students to be the change makers of tomorrow,” Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster said in a statement.

PMS and Community Park (CP) rejoined the certification program this year, both achieving 160 points; PMS for its hydroponics tower and eSTEAM Saturday Scholars Program, and CP for its pedestrian and bike safety events and the Garden State on Your Plate program.

Each school also gains actions taken at the district level, which include tracking energy use at each school, implementing energy efficiency upgrades, developing sustainability and safe routes to school policies, participating in professional development for sustainability, monitoring the district's carbon footprint, utilizing greener cleaning supplies and equipment, offering food scraps collection in each school's kitchen, student participation in arts programs, and a staff wellness program.

PHS and Riverside have committed to renewing certification every year.

This approach helps ensure sustainability stays at the forefront and is the best way to eventually reach Silver Certification at 350 points.

Sustainable Jersey for Schools developed the voluntary certification program in 2014 as a roadmap for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools to implement sustainability best practices.

To achieve certification, a school must submit documentation to show it has completed a balanced portfolio of the program’s sustainability actions, earning points for each.

A minimum of 150 points is needed for bronze-level certification. The more advanced silver level requires a minimum of 350 points of sustainability actions.

“As school districts across the country struggle to make progress on sustainability goals, New Jersey’s schools are taking action and providing evidence of implementation. With 67% of New Jersey public school districts participating and 375 certified schools, there’s an incredible opportunity and potential for change,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey.

Certification is a team effort that touches on every level of the district, from the business, maintenance and facilities departments to educators, parents, and students. “Sustainable Princeton is thrilled to be working with each of these entities to assist in the certification process and to investigate additional opportunities for action,” said Jenny Ludmer, Program Manager at Sustainable Princeton.

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