Amongst 78 schools recognized across 29 states, North Long Beach’s own Longfellow Elementary School was recognized with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE)’s inaugural Green Ribbon Award. Within the pool of schools recognized in California, Longfellow was only one of four (three of which were in L.A. County alone); 52 schools applied for the recognition statewide.

According to the DOE’s website, schools that qualify for the Green Ribbon “save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.” It also stated that it is an “effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.”

The school, located on Olive Avenue, has been involved in an extensive recycling program after noticing that statewide, school districts are not required to recycle. Their program parcels trash into categories ranging from chip bags to cookie wrappers. Thanks to innovations like this recycling program, which also includes a foam lunch tray recycling program in partnership with Dart Container Corporation, Longfellow has reduced its emission footprint by 34%.

The other two campuses recognized in the county are Environmental Charter High School in the Lawndale Elementary School District and Grand View