Saint Leo the Great School Named 2019 New Jersey Green Ribbon School

Lincroft, NJ Saint Leo the Great School has been selected as a 2019 New Jersey Green Ribbon School by the Environmental Awareness and Sustainability Recognition Program administered by the U.S. Department of Education and nominated for designation as a National U.S. Department of Education 2019 Green Ribbon School.

The Green Ribbon program recognizes schools that are taking a comprehensive approach to “greening” their school. Saint Leo’s has been recognized for exemplary achievement and considerable progress in their commitment to saving energy, reducing costs, featuring environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protecting health, fostering wellness and offering environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

‘To not only achieve academic success but to be good citizens of the environment is a natural progression as we incorporate STEAM curriculum in our school. Investigating the science behind environmental issues prepares students to be the next generation of global citizens,” said Cornelius Begley, Principal. “One of our goals at Saint Leo’s is to engage our students in real world learning that inspires them to be stewards of our environment.”

According to Richard Romero, Director of Operations, “The benchmarks of the Green Ribbon School designation are extremely ambitious and very few schools can achieve all of them. Saint Leo the Great School faculty, staff, students , and families have all contributed in some way to earning this prestigious designation.”

The New Jersey Green Ribbon selection committee states, “the data gathered in the application process when analyzed will serve as the school’s environmental benchmarks. Earning the Green Ribbon, as difficult and challenging as it is, is only the beginning for our schools and award winners.” It is believed that Green Ribbon schools will serve as the launching pad for tomorrow’s environmentalists, environments and sustainably educators, scientists, and advocates to balance environmental justice.

Since the inception of the program in 2012, only 386 schools nationwide both public and private have been able to achieve Green Ribbon School designation by the U.S. Department of Education, only 20 in New Jersey. Saint Leo’s is also the first Catholic school to be named a Green Ribbon School. Official confirmation by the U.S. Department of Education for National 2019 Green Ribbon School status will be announced later this year