Grades of Green

About

Grades of Green seeks to inspire and empower kids and the broader school community to care for the environment. By encouraging the establishment of good habits that have an impact on the environment, Grades of Green strives to affect long term positive change.

The Grades of Green program teaches kids to recycle, compost, use earth friendly cleaners, bring a trash free lunch to school, walk to school whenever possible, and much more. The program has a ripple effect because they bring their new habits home to their parents who, in turn, modify their habits. As do the participating schools

Initiated by concerned parents at Grandview Elementary School in Manhattan Beach in 2007, the program was formally launched by the school’s PTA President. Schools located in the South Bay, Malibu, and Rancho Palos Verdes quickly instituted Grades of Green and as a result of its success, the program is now a national movement. As of March 2012, 104,812 students from 169 schools across 27 states have participated.

Selected Awards:
Outstanding Waste Prevention Winner
California Resource Recovery Association, 2012

Green Leadership Award
LA County Board of Supervisors, 2009

Environmental Award
Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

Details

Established: 
2007

Leader:
S
uzanne Kretschmer
Co-Founder & Director of Operations

Location: 
Manhattan Beach

Area Served:
National

# of Employees:
1-25

Model:
Nonprofit
(donations+earned income)

Guidestar Report