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    • Sustainability at Ravenswood
    Outdoor Science Learning Area at Los Robles-Ronald McNair
    Storm water capture system under the field at CCRMS
    Magical Bridge Play Park at CCRMS
    Planting at CCRMS
    Community tree planting with Canopy
    Ariel view of outdoor science learning area at LRRM
    sustainability at ravenswood

    sustainability at ravenswood

    Ravenswood Elementary City School District has been recognized as a 2026 California Green Ribbon Schools “Green Achiever” for its leadership in sustainability and environmental justice. This is the top level of recognition and only given to the top five applicants across the state and, historically, across the country. This recognition affirms that transformative climate action in public education is driven not by wealth, but by equity, vision, and long-term commitment. Ravenswood is the only district with an unduplicated count over 90% to be selected as a Green Achiever in at least the past decade.
     
    Over the past decade, Ravenswood City School District has made historic investments to modernize its campuses with sustainability at the core. Through more than $250 million in voter-approved bonds and additional outside funding, the district is rebuilding schools originally constructed in the 1950s—transforming them into healthier, greener, and more climate-resilient learning environments for students and staff.

    A major focus of this work has been clean energy and electrification. Every school site now includes on-site solar panels, providing roughly 70% of the district’s annual energy needs and saving approximately $125k per year in utility costs. Heating systems are being converted from gas to electric, campuses operate on 100% renewable electricity through Peninsula Clean Energy, and energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and MERV-13 air filtration have dramatically reduced emissions while improving indoor air quality.
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    The district has also reimagined its outdoor spaces to address climate impacts and student wellbeing. More than 1,300 trees have been planted across campuses to increase shade, reduce heat, and improve biodiversity—an average of over 250 trees per school. At Los Robles–Ronald McNair Academy, this work has culminated in an arboretum-style campus and a new outdoor science learning area that integrates environmental education directly into the landscape.
     
    Water conservation and stormwater management have been equally transformative. Ravenswood has reduced total water use by approximately 68% since 2020 by replacing large irrigated lawns with turf fields, installing efficient irrigation systems, and using regionally appropriate landscaping. Several campuses now manage stormwater on site through bio-retention basins, rain gardens, and underground cisterns that capture runoff, protect local waterways, and recharge groundwater.
     
    Together, these facilities investments represent a comprehensive approach to sustainable school design—one that lowers operating costs, reduces environmental impact, and creates healthier spaces for learning and play.
     
     
     
    PRESS RELEASE ON GREEN ACHIEVER RECOGNITION

    PRESS RELEASE ON GREEN ACHIEVER RECOGNITION

    Ravenswood Elementary School District Recognized as National Model for Equitable Sustainability and Climate Resilience
    East Palo Alto, CA — Ravenswood Elementary City School District (Ravenswood) has been recognized as a “Green Achiever” for its leadership in sustainability and environmental justice as a 2026 California Green Ribbon Schools. This is the top level of recognition and only given to a handful of districts across the state and, historically, across the country.
     
    This recognition affirms that transformative climate action in public education is driven not by wealth, but by equity, vision, and long-term commitment. Ravenswood is the only district with an unduplicated count over 90% to be selected as a Green Achiever in at least the past decade.
     
    “This work reflects our belief that climate investments are a moral responsibility as well as a smart financial decision,” said Board Chair Tamara Sobomehin. “Energy efficiency, electrification, and sustainable design reduce long-term operating costs while creating healthier learning environments for our students. Sustainability is non-negotiable. It is inherently how we responsibly steward public dollars while protecting the futures of the children we serve.”
     
    “None of this would have been possible without our community’s approval of school bonds. This investment allows us to rebuild every campus with resilience in mind,” said Facilities Subcommittee Member Jenny Bloom. “Bond measures give Ravenswood a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design schools that serve students well for decades. Making them safer, greener, and prepared for a changing climate.”
     
    Over the past decade, Ravenswood has implemented a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan supported by more than $250 million in modernization investments. These efforts have resulted in fully electrified campuses, expanded solar energy generation, significant reductions in water use, the planting of more than 1,300 trees, improved indoor air quality, and the creation of green schoolyards and outdoor learning spaces that integrate environmental literacy into everyday instruction.
     
    The Green Ribbon recognition also highlights Ravenswood’s holistic approach to student well-being, pairing sustainable facilities with robust surround supports that remove barriers to learning.
     
    “This award honors far more than buildings,” said Superintendent Gina Sudaria. “It recognizes the comprehensive system of support we have built for our students, including free before- and after-school programs for every child, to full-time mental health therapists at each school, to extraordinary opportunities like fully funded educational trips to Washington, D.C. for our middle school students. Sustainability, for Ravenswood, means creating environments where students are healthy, supported, and inspired to thrive.”
     
    “We are taking a very long view in this work,” said Assistant Superintendent William Eger. “This is a generational opportunity to rebuild our schools, made possible through deep partnerships with energy, environmental, civic, and wellness organizations. Together with donors and community partners like Canopy, we’ve secured more than $50 million in support to ensure climate action and student opportunity move forward hand in hand.”