Berwyn Heights Elementary Named 2026 “Best of Green Schools” Winner

Berwyn Heights Elementary School has been named a 2026 “Best of Green Schools” winner by the Green Schools National Network and the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, a national honor recognizing leadership in creating healthy and sustainable learning environments.

“Receiving the National Award for Best of Green Schools 2026 is more than a recognition. It is a celebration of who we are as a learning community,” said Amanda Alerich, principal at Berwyn Heights Elementary School. “For our students, it affirms that their voices, choices, and daily actions matter and that they are capable of leading meaningful change. For our staff, it reflects a deep commitment to innovation, stewardship, and preparing learners to think critically about the world they will inherit. And for our community, it is a powerful reminder that when we work together, we can create lasting impact.”

The school earned the distinction through measurable conservation results, including reduced energy and water use and diverting more than 13,000 pounds of waste through composting. Sustainability is also integrated into student learning, from raising sunfish for release into the Chesapeake Bay watershed to leading classroom conservation efforts and maintaining school gardens.

This recognition reflects Berwyn Heights Elementary’s dedication to creating learning spaces where students not only thrive academically, but also develop the knowledge and habits needed to care for their environment and community. Through intentional sustainability initiatives and hands-on learning experiences, the school continues to model what it means to prepare environmentally responsible leaders for the future.