Virginia Beach City Public Schools is one of 30 school divisions named a 2017 Certified Green School Division by the Virginia School Boards Association. This is the seventh consecutive year that VBCPS has received the honor which recognizes divisions for environmental and sustainable practices.
VBCPS received the distinction in the platinum category – the highest of the four levels of certification. School divisions earn points for implementing action items in 12 categories such as energy efficiency, green buildings and environmental programs in schools.
In addition to designing schools that are certified by the United States Green Building Council and being recognized as a 2017 Energy Star Partner for reducing energy costs and greenhouse emissions, VBCPS recycling efforts divisionwide have made a measurable difference. Since September 2008, these efforts have saved the equivalent of 172,948 trees; 30,520 cubic yards of landfill space; enough energy to power 4,495 homes for one year; 3.9 million gallons of oil; and 71 million gallons of water.
VBCPS students also study and implement numerous sustainable practices. Some of these projects include planting school gardens, starting student-led programs that focus on renewable energy, and advocating for programs that support ecosystems.
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