Green Initiatives at Woodward

General Information

Woodward is gaining a wide reputation for its commitment to going green. During the summer of 2008, the Academy hosted the annual National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Institute for Leadership in Sustainability. The conference also returned to campus summer 2009. Jefferson Burnett, Vice President for NAIS government and community relations, was among last summer’s visitors: “The minute I stepped foot on Woodward’s campus, I felt this instant, amazing, wonderful vibe. Most importantly, the Academy ‘walks the walk’ of sustainability,” he said.

With the support of Headmaster Ron McCollum and the leadership of Barb Egan, Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Academy’s faculty, staff and students have worked very hard to be good stewards of the environment.

Academic Initiatives

Woodward students, teachers and staff are embracing efforts to preserve the environment. Here are some examples:

Woodward North, Primary and Lower Schools

At the Primary School, some of the the Academy’s youngest students are learning about organic gardening through hands-on lessons about sustainable living practices. Jennifer Scott, the Primary School Garden Coordinator, is continuing her commitment to teach the Primary School students to become better stewards of the environment through hands-on organic gardening lessons. Learn more by visiting the Primary School Garden Blog.

All across the Academy, recycling efforts are under way. Jenny DuBose coordinated recycling at Woodward North and at the Lower School Amy Underwood, Nanci Lee and Danise Fields coordinated their program.

Middle School

At the Middle School, Mrs. McCreery put it this way: “These kids are here to stay longer than we are on this earth, so they are the ones to take this on. And they do. They are eager, open, interested and willing. It’s very impressive to me to see how committed they are.

Upper School

The Environmental Awareness Club along with the class of 2009 formed a “Green Campaign” senior service project. As part of the campaign, the club commissioned 1,000 bags to sell to students and their families in the hopes that people will choose them over plastic.They are still available for sale in the Campus Store and the Parents Club Consignment Shop. You may also email: e-mail

Science Department chair and EAC sponsor Chery Gibson also works with the Academy's facilities staff to coordinate recycling in the Upper School.

At the Upper School, Dean of Student Life Chris Freer believes in teaching students to be good stewards. “As an educational institution, we have a dual responsibility to educate and model environmental awareness for our students,” he said. “After all, they are the future leaders and caretakers who will inherit this planet. I’m always amazed by how many of them are committed to this role already, at a young age.”

Facilities and Operations

Here are some areas in which the Academy is pursuing Green initiatives for school operations:

  • Green cleaning products are used where appropriate.
  • Recycling of aluminum, plastic, paper and cardboard is under way. If you have questions about the recycling program on campus, please contact , Housekeeping Manager.
  • Staff use golf carts in lieu of vehicles where possible —including a solar-powered cart in the IT department.
  • The IT department works with the Upper School Computer Club in e-cycling computers, printers, monitors, print cartridges and other electronic waste. If you have any e-cycling questions, please email ecycle@woodward.edu.
  • Dining Services has experimented with organics and is making efforts to buy locally grown food.

The Jordan N. Carlos Middle School campus was the first K-12 school to attain Silver LEED certification, an environmental construction standard established by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Primary School was built using LEED-like guidelines, and the new math and science facility will receive Gold LEED certification. The Academy will use LEED-like or LEED-certified construction standards on the next two major projects of Campaign Woodward, which include the new athletic and fitness center and the new Upper School humanities building.

Some of the Academy’s buildings use green power, which is electricity produced by renewable resources such as solar and wind power. Woodward’s commitment to purchase green power enabled the City of College Park to make it available to other customers in the area.

Several campus buildings use geothermal systems for heating and cooling. In addition, the school uses automated building management systems in selected buildings to automatically adjust the temperature at times when students and teachers are not present. Motion sensors are used to control lighting and ensure lights are not in use when buildings are not occupied.

Please see the map below for details on which buildings use green power and geothermal systems on campus. Click on the image for an enlarged version.

 

 

 

New Construction

Dan Bedard, Construction Project Director for the Academy, is responsible for making sure that new campus buildings are built using green construction guidelines. He also serves on the education committee of the U.S. Green Building Council.