County Office Wins Top Honor from California Green Ribbon Schools

Published April 22, 2025

Redwood City, CA — The California Department of Education has named the San Mateo County Office of Education as a 2025 Green Achiever, the highest level California Green Ribbon Schools recognition. The County Office received this prestigious honor for its groundbreaking leadership in environmental literacy and sustainable and climate-ready practices. 

California Green Ribbon Schools recognizes public and private schools, districts, and county offices of education that demonstrate progress in three pillars of sustainability: reducing environmental impacts, improving the health and wellness of the school community, and providing effective environmental education. Applicants are assessed on their ability to demonstrate progress in these three areas and are recognized at either the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Green Achievers level.

The County Office has prioritized sustainability for decades. For more than 50 years, the County Office has championed environmental education through its award-winning Outdoor Education program at Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda. In 2017, the County Office deepened its commitment to environmental education by launching an Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative that supports San Mateo County Schools and integrates climate-ready practices across a school's campus, curriculum, community, and culture. This Initiative advances district-wide assessments, data-driven sustainability projects, building and fleet electrification, and staff training on waste diversion. 

The County Office operates several facilities and programs, including its main office, the Special Services Center site, and various schools. These schools encompass Community Schools, Court Schools, Special Education programs, Early Childhood programs, and an Outdoor Education program, all of which support diverse student populations across the county. The County Office also supports districts in implementing sustainable practices and building standards.  The County Office has partnered with Peninsula Clean Energy to facilitate the installation of solar panels and EV charging stations while reducing energy costs. 

Through effective environmental education programs like the Environmental Solutionary Teacher Fellowship and Youth Climate Ambassadors, The County Office empowers educators and students to address climate change and sustainability challenges. Recognized with numerous awards, SMCOE continues to drive transformation across districts throughout California, fostering sustainable and equitable learning environments.

Working closely with the nonprofit environmental education leader Ten Strands, the County Office of Education secured a $6 million grant from the legislature in 2021 to develop climate change and environmental justice curricula for every grade in California’s K-12 schools being released in July 2025, Seeds to Solutions.

“California faces tremendous environmental challenges, and education will play an increasingly important role in addressing these in the years ahead,” said San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee. “We are committed to increasing students’ environmental literacy across the state, while helping local schools become more climate-ready and sustainable. We are proud of our work, and it is a great honor to receive this recognition.”

Honorees will be recognized at the 2025 California Green Ribbon Schools Award Symposium and Ceremony at the San Mateo County Office of Education in Redwood City, California on April 30.