Mt. Lebanon High School was one of 46 schools, six school districts and six postsecondary institutions nationwide to be named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. The award recognizes schools and districts that have demonstrated a variety of widely accepted sustainability practices. Some of the practices the high school adopted that earned the award were:

• comprehensive recycling and composting program
• locally sourced healthy food program
• student-led environmental club
• schoolwide energy savings program
• ban on pesticides on school grounds

High school principal Brian McFeeley was excited to receive the designation. “It really is a tribute to the entire Mt. Lebanon community,” he said.   

Other factors listed in the award application were the school’s emphasis on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) practices during its recent renovation and the requirement of students to take a full year of environmental geoscience in order to graduate.

“We appreciate the Pennsylvania and U.S. Departments of Education’s validation of the wonderful programs and features at Mt. Lebanon High School,” said McFeeley.