Review Before You Apply
Download the Application Guide for more detailed information. This guide includes information on Applications 1-5. Download the Online Portal Guide for step-by-step directions on how to create an account and start uploading information and documentation.
Application Updates
Important Dates:
- Intent to Apply Due: December 15, 2023
- Preliminary Review Sessions: February 2024
- NEW!! Submission Dates:
- Early Submission (applications 2-5 only): December 15, 2023
- Final Date for Submission: March 1, 2024
- Announcements: On or around Earth Day
- Youth Summit at Sandy Point State Park: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Application Information:
- All schools will submit applications using the Online Application Portal.
- All sections of the application will be submitted through the online portal.
- Coming Soon: View recordings of the Application Info Session and the Online Portal Training for more info.
- Schools are required to reapply every four years to maintain their Green School status.
Sustainable Schools (Applications 5 and Beyond) Information:
- Depending on when you received Sustainable Green School status (Application 4), you'll be required to reapply every four years to maintain your Sustainable Green School status.
- If you are a Sustainable Green School, the chart below summarizes the year you will need to reapply.
4th Application Successfully Submitted | Intent to Apply Deadline | Application Deadline |
2017 or earlier | December 2021 | March 2022 |
2018, 2019, 2020 | December 2023 | March 2024 |
2021 | December 2024 | March 2025 |
2022 | December 2025 | March 2026 |
Application Checklist
Complete and submit the following required application materials.
- Intent to Apply: Pay the Intent to Apply fee of $75 by December 15, 2023, on the online portal. If a check must be used for payment, mail the check payable to MAEOE at P.O. Box 1103 Edgewater, MD 21037. MAEOE will mark the fee as paid in the portal once the check is received. You will not be able to submit your application until the fee is paid.
- School Information and About Your School: Complete the school information and include a brief description of your school’s green culture and examples of sustainable changes the school has made to become greener. Include the principal’s digital signature in the School Survey section. Double-check your application number and the year you will submit your application. If you are unsure of the application number, check the Green Schools list here.
- Top Five Accomplishments: Include one sentence or phrase for each accomplishment. These will be read at the Youth Summit Awards Ceremony.
- Goal Summary (Application 4, 5, and beyond): Describe your school’s goals for the next 4 years, 8 years, and 12 years. Include how to make them successful, the people who will be involved, and what outcomes you expect from goals. Application 5 and beyond: Reflect on the previous goals set in the last application.
- School Metrics Survey: Complete the school metrics survey to demonstrate the impact of the green actions taken. This data allows MAEOE to quantify students’ green achievements and shows the impact of MD Green Schools on the environment.
- Objectives 1, 2, and 3: Complete the application items for each of the objectives. Applications 5 and Beyond ONLY will complete a simplified version of the application. The simplified version of the application is on the portal.
- Application Submission Window: December 15, 2023 - March 1, 2024.
- All applications are due by 11:59 pm on March 1, 2024.
- Applications received after March 1, 2024, are not guaranteed a review.
- You will receive a confirmation email when you submit your application on the portal. If you do not receive this confirmation, please send an email to applications@maeoe.org.
- Only RECERTIFYING SCHOOLS are eligible to submit before the Mach 1 deadline. NEW SCHOOLS cannot submit their application until March 1.
- Apply for transportation funding to attend the Youth Summit: The application for Youth Summit transportation funding will be available in early 2024 and can be viewed here.
- Register to Attend the Youth Summit: The Youth Summit will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Sandy Point State Park (1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409). This is a celebration for all schools in Maryland. Schools with successful Green Schools applications will be recognized at a ceremony congratulating new and recertifying Green Schools awarded in the 2023-2024 school year.
