Thurmont Elementary and Urbana Elementary are added to the Maryland Green Schools program
Thurmont Elementary and Urbana Elementary are the two latest FCPS communities added to the Maryland Green Schools program.
Both schools were newly certified in the Maryland Green Schools Program for 2025-26 by the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education (MAEOE).
In addition, Wolfsville Elementary received the Sustainable Schools Award for 17 years as a Maryland Green School. Frederick High received its second Green School Award.
“I am so proud of the schools that achieved Maryland Green Schools status,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson said. “As part of this process, students and staff have demonstrated simple steps they can take to support the local environment.”
In Maryland, 702 schools are part of the Green School program, representing 34 percent of all Maryland schools. In total, FCPS has 15 Maryland Green Schools.
The students and staff at each Green School demonstrate and document their efforts to integrate sustainable environmental management practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development opportunities, and community engagement into daily operations.
“Green Schools provide engaging and effective instruction by integrating environmental learning across all subjects,” MAEOE Executive Director Laura Johnson Collard said. “The results are powerful – we see students leading composting programs, conserving energy, joining environmental clubs and advocating for what is important to them.”
FCPS Green Schools will be recognized at the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit being held Thursday, May 28, at Sandy Point State Park.