On Thursday, April 20, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education announced that Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School is among the 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees. Santiago was nominated by the California Department of Education who also awarded Santiago with the 2023 California Green Ribbon School “ Green Achiever.”  This is the highest honor California bestows upon a school.

Santiago is one of  26 schools, 11 districts, and four postsecondary institutions across the country being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 18 states.

Santiago is humbled to be recognized for its green efforts and grateful for all our teachers, staff, volunteers, and community members actively supporting these worthy endeavors.

But it doesn't stop there.  Santiago was chosen to host the State of California Green Ribbon Ceremony for all honorees in May where we will have a chance to shine by ending the ceremony with a tour of our school.  And lastly, we have been invited to a ceremony in Washington D.C. in August to honor our accomplishments.

You may find Santiago STEAM Magnet’s nomination package here and the U.S. Department of Education’s report with highlights of all 41 honorees here.

Thank you to both the U.S. Department of Education and the California Department of Education for this amazing distinction.