students create recycling stations

Huntley Community School District 158 is one of just two schools across Illinois who have earned a 2022-23 Illinois Green Ribbon Schools Award. Huntley 158 and Prairie Trails School of Mount Prospect were selected for their comprehensive approach to environmental education and management.

According to the ISBE website, the Green Ribbon Schools program, in partnership with the Illinois Green Alliance, recognizes schools, districts and institutions of higher education that demonstrate best practices and achievements based on three pillars of environmental education: 

  • ​Reduce environmental impact and costs;
  • Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
  • Provide environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.

“We are excited that Huntley’s commitment to a cleaner, more viable world is being recognized by the State Board of Education,” said Huntley 158 Superintendent Dr. Scott Rowe. “Through reduction of water waste, investments in solar energy, propane buses, community health, and opportunities for our students to learn about the impact of sustainability, we are striving to create the community our children deserve.”

As a 2022-23 award winner, Huntley 158’s applications has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Program for consideration at the national level. The U.S. Department of Education typically announces its winners on Earth Day, April 22, and invites awardees to an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.