Independent/Private Schools

Developing Environmental Leadership and Rewarding Excellence

EcoSchools certification represents environmental excellence for kindergarten through grade 12 schools in Canada. Participation in the program allows students, teachers, school administrators, custodians, and parents to get a clear picture of their current environmental practices and take action to reduce their environmental footprint.

Our program provides your school with a framework along with curriculum-connected resources, action guides, campaign kits and access to our online platform where teachers, administrators and students can measure their impact. At the end of the year, schools apply for certification and are awarded with a final certification level ranging from Bronze to Platinum.

Program benefits

Certification through the EcoSchools program can:

  • Provide a framework to help independent/private schools plan, set, and meet sustainability targets.
  • Build student leadership by offering opportunities to create environmental action plans, run EcoTeam meetings and projects, organize and deliver campaigns and whole-school initiatives, and engage other students, teachers, educators, administration, parents, and community partners.
  • Give schools access to an extensive international network of over 51,000 EcoSchools and 19 million students in 74 countries around the world.
EcoSchools Canada has provided Pickering College with an excellent format to audit our green initiatives and practices. The year-end reports provide us with clear insight into our successes, and where we need to focus on improvement. Because of this program, our school community continues to strive toward an increased consciousness of sustainability.

– Noeline Burk, Heads of Arts, Senior Faculty, Pickering College

Independent/Private Schools FAQ