Green Schools Application Process

Preparing Your Application

Maryland Green School applications are submitted by the beginning of March every year. To renew their Green School Award, schools must reapply every four years. Schools that have successfully submitted four applications are recognized as Sustainable schools, which grants them a simplified application process moving forward.

In order to apply, schools must pay the Intent to Apply fee of $125 by December 16 prior to application submission. All Green School Awards will be announced on or around Earth Day.

Before beginning your school's application process, review the application requirements in the Maryland Green Schools Application Guide, the Green Schools FAQs, and other resources below.

New to the Green Schools application? Sign up for one of our Green Schools info sessions or Application Portal trainings! Click on "Application Info Sessions and Resources" below for more info.

Accessing the Maryland Green Schools Application Portal

Starting in 2022, Green Schools are submitting their applications through the Maryland Green Schools Application Portal. Directions for completing the application process, Frequently Asked Questions, and funding opportunities can all be found by visiting the portal at marylandgreenschools.org.

Each school must create their school’s account in the portal in order to start their application. To do so, visit marylandgreenschools.org and click on “New School” in the upper right corner, then fill out the required fields.
For assistance navigating the portal, view our Online Portal Guide below.
Coming Soon: View recordings of the Green Schools Application Info Session and the Online Portal Training below for more information.

Green Schools Application Guide (NEWLY UPDATED)

Online Portal Guide

Important Dates

The following are important deadlines for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Intent to Apply Due: December 16, 2024
Preliminary Review Sessions: February 2025
Submission Windows:
- New schools may submit starting February 24, 2025.
- Renewing schools may submit anytime after the Intent to Apply deadline of December 16, 2024.
- All applications are due by March 3, 2025.
Announcements: On or around Earth Day
Youth Summit at Sandy Point State Park: May 29, 2025

Application Checklist

Complete and submit the following required application materials:

Intent to Apply: Pay the Intent to Apply fee of $125 by December 16, 2024, on the online portal. If a check is used for payment, mail it payable to MAEOE at P.O. Box 1103 Edgewater, MD 21037.
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, to be read at the Youth Summit Awards Ceremony.
Goal Summary (Applications 4, 5, and beyond): Describe your school’s goals for the next 4, 8, and 12 years. Include details on how to make them successful, the people involved, and expected outcomes.
School Metrics Survey: Complete the survey to demonstrate the impact of green actions taken.
Objectives 1, 2, and 3: Complete application items for each objective. NOTE: Applications 5 and beyond will complete a simplified application.
Application Submission Window:
- New schools may submit starting February 24, 2025.
- Renewing schools may submit anytime after the Intent to Apply deadline of December 16, 2024.
- All applications are due by March 3, 2025.
- You will receive a confirmation email upon submitting your application. If not received, email applications@maeoe.org.
Apply for transportation funding to attend the Youth Summit: The application for Youth Summit transportation funding will be available in early 2025.
Register to Attend the Youth Summit: The Youth Summit will be held on May 29, 2025 at Sandy Point State Park. This is a celebration for all schools in Maryland, with recognition for successful Green School awards in the 2024-2025 school year.

Sustainable Schools (Applications 5 and Beyond) Information

Depending on when your Green School achieved Sustainable status (Application 4), you'll still be required to reapply every four years to maintain your status; however, Sustainable schools have a simplified application process. Access the Sustainable schools application checklist below.

Sustainable Schools (Application 5) worksheet

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 Info Sessions and Resources

Example Applications

The following examples highlight schools with exemplary Green Schools applications. Please note that several examples are presented in the old submission process; all current applications must be submitted through the application portal.

Application 1

Application 2

Application 3

Application 4

Application 5

Application 1

NEW Portal Examples