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Bronze Award Criteria

 To be eligible for the Bronze Award, a school must accomplish the criteria under each of the Seven Steps below, and must apply online for the award. The online application contains all of the information below, and the school must complete this self-assessment. If the application is successfully entered and all criteria met, the school will be awarded the Eco-Schools USA Bronze Award. You will be able to download and print a personalized certificate of achievement.

>> Download a Bronze Award checklist. This checklist will help you track your school's progress through the Eco-Schools USA program and confirm that you are meeting criteria to apply for a Bronze Award.

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The actions noted below must be taken for each of the Seven Steps as follows:

Eco-Action Committee

1. The school has identified an Eco-Action Team that is composed of a diverse group of teachers and students.
2. The group meets at least 4 times a year.
3. Informal minutes are kept at each meeting.
4. The group informs the whole school of committee discussions and actions.

Environmental Audit

• A formal or informal environmental audit of the school is conducted. Schools can develop their own criteria or use the Eco-Schools USA template.

Action Plan

1. Results from the Environmental Audit are used to create a basic action plan that is focused on at least one Eco-Schools pathway.
2. The Eco-Action Plan is shared with the whole school community.
3. Some level of action is taken by school to mitigate environmental problems, focusing on the selected Eco-Schools pathway.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• The Eco-Action Team identifies and monitors progress towards achieving the actions stated in the Eco-Action Plan. Successes and challenges are noted in the formal record and archived for use when applying for the Green Flag award.

Linking to the Curriculum

• Students have an opportunity at most grade levels and across disciplines to integrate environmental issues into the classroom, on the school site or in the local community.

Informing the Whole School/Wider Community

• The school has a prominent, designated way to communicate with the whole school and greater community such as a bulletin board, website or newsletter which details Eco-Schools USA activities.

Eco-Code

• The Eco-Action Team, with input from the whole school, develops an Eco-Code that is then agreed upon and adopted by the school.