The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) is pleased to announce that Allegany County Public Schools has schools receiving 2025 Maryland Green School Awards. There are 693 active Maryland Green Schools, which makes up 39% of all Maryland schools. 

Schools receive certification as a Maryland Green School after demonstrating and documenting a continuous effort to integrate sustainable environmental management practices, education curriculum, professional development opportunities, and community engagement into their daily operations. The award signifies their commitment to protecting the Earth and reducing the school’s impact. 

This year, Mount Savage Elementary School is receiving Green School status for the first time.

"Mount Savage Elementary School is fortunate to have Ms. Elaine Davis lead our students in our Green School Program. She has shown our students how to plant fruit trees in a systematic manner and has also shown them how to create pollinator gardens, which are extremely valuable to the environment by providing vital food and shelter for pollinators,” says Laura Holland, Principal of Mount Savage School. “In addition to our middle school program, Mrs. Samantha Nolan and Mrs. Melissa Sindy have taken the initiative to begin a Green School Club for our elementary students, and we are proud to say we are the first elementary school in Allegany County to have achieved Green School status. Their students are in the process of making a monarch habitat."

Mountain Ridge High School also received recertification.

“Continued support and participation in the Green School process shows the commitment to Environmental Literacy within the county. We would like to thank the hard-working staff and students at the schools receiving Green School Awards this year. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.” Dr. Eric Van Slyke, Secondary Science Supervisor. 

These schools are models within the state and in the United States. Students want to participate, whether it is part of classwork or they initiate a project in a green club. Students are encouraging others to make a difference.