By Deborah Rogers Curtis, Green Schools Coordinator for the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council
Show-Me Green Schools is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 Green Schools Quest, a six-month low- or no-cost sustainability project with the support of a School Leader and a Mentor from the community. Students chose a project meaningful to them, and they were involved at the inception, planning, implementation, data analysis, and reflection stages of the project. This year’s theme of Water allowed schools to explore the many nuances of water protection and conservation. With 83 schools enrolled this year, it was the largest and toughest competition since the program began in 2013!
Several themes emerged from the project submissions, including invasive species removal, native plant replacement, outdoor learning environments to encourage whole-school or neighborhood protection of the biodiverse landscape, and educating the community on sustainable practices. After the schools submitted their projects, a panel of judges from across the United States reviewed their projects and determined the winners. We are proud not only of those schools recognized below, but of all schools who participated in this year’s Quest – everyone wins when we adopt more sustainable practices!
- Lower Elementary Rookie Winner: Stix ECC, St. Louis Public Schools
- Lower Elementary Veteran Winner: Old Bonhomme Elementary, Ladue School District
- Upper Elementary Rookie Winner: High Point R-III, High Point
- Upper Elementary Veteran Winner: City Garden Montessori, Charter
- Middle School Rookie Winner: Margaret Buerkle Middle School, Mehlville School District
- Middle School Veteran Winner: Brittany Woods Middle School, School District of University City
- High School Rookie Winner: Hazelwood Central High School, Hazelwood School District
- High School Veteran Winner: Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Ladue School District
Special Recognitions:
- Theme of the Year, Elementary: Conway Elementary, Ladue School District
- Theme of the Year, Secondary: Truman Middle School, Lindbergh School District
- Judges’ Choice: Harrisburg High School,Harrisburg R-VIII
- Community Impact: Claymont Elementary, Parkway School District
Want to learn more? Visit showmegreenschools.org. The 2026-2027 Green Schools Quest theme will focus on Systems Thinking. Schools can register online by September 15th, and Mentors can register online by August 15th.