176 Schools Earn Certification as Sustainable Jersey for Schools Celebrates 10 Years of Impact
on Sep 08, 2025
With 370 schools now certified and more than 1,200 participating statewide, New Jersey leads the way in advancing sustainability in education
Sustainable Jersey for Schools announced today that 176 public schools achieved certification in 2025, bringing the total number of certified schools across New Jersey to 370. These schools are recognized as leaders in sustainability, providing exceptional learning opportunities for their students while modeling best practices for districts statewide.
Review the list of 2025 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certified Schools: 2025 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certified Schools.
This achievement comes as Sustainable Jersey for Schools celebrates its 10th year of awarding certification to New Jersey public schools. Today, 1,223 schools participate in the program, collectively driving change on critical issues such as energy use, waste reduction, climate education, and digital learning.
Launched in 2014, the voluntary certification program provides a roadmap for pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade schools to implement sustainability best practices. Schools earn points for completing a balanced portfolio of actions, with 150 points required for bronze certification and 350 points for the more advanced silver level.
“Across the nation, many school systems are still searching for ways to meet sustainability commitments. In New Jersey, however, schools are showing what real progress looks like,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “With more than two-thirds of districts engaged and hundreds of schools certified, we’re seeing real momentum. What makes this achievement powerful is that it comes from the ground up—teachers, students, administrators, and parents working together to build healthier, more resilient schools. Certification through Sustainable Jersey for Schools reflects that shared leadership and vision.”
In addition to certification, 22 schools in 2025 earned Digital Schools Star recognition. This distinction highlights schools that demonstrate innovation in digital learning and technology integration, with strong practices in policy, equitable access, personalized learning, digital citizenship, and data safety.
The Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification is good for three program years. To see each school’s complete certification report, visit: Participating Districts and Schools.