The Gunston School's Maryland Green School Application 2015

Top Five Accomplishments 2011-2015

  • Improved Environmental Education Integration -- The faculty have made significant efforts to further integrate environmental education units into their classes.  Environmental issue instruction now spans all disciplines and grade levels.  
  • Bay Studies - Chesapeake Bay Studies has undergone a significant revision in its curriculum and focus to offer students an intentional progression of learning experiences and student assessment.  Bay Studies remains a weeklong program of off-campus seminars based on developing a meaningful understanding of the role the Bay plays in shaping our history, culture, industry, and future. 
  • Environmental Strategic Planning -- Gunston’s Board of Trustees has placed sustainability at the top of our institutional priorities by commissioning an Environmental Strategic Planning committee charged with creating a comprehensive roadmap for Gunston to research, develop, and implement innovative, high-quality, and high-impact environmental learning experiences within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for students and educators.  
  • Facilities and Grounds Upgrades: Since 2010, the school has completed nearly $5 million in facilities and grounds renovations.  This includes an energy-efficient renovation of our two primary academic facilities (including high-efficiency heating and cooling, solar powered HVAC units, energy efficient lighting solutions, etc.); a ‘600 “living shoreline” restoration of the school’s waterfront, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust; and a replacement of our primary septic systems with state-of-the-art BAT systems.
  • Earth Day Celebration -- These student-planned and led annual Celebrations, bring together students, faculty, staff, and the community for the benefit of our local environment.  Activities during the day include numerous stewardship opportunities.