5 Harford Co. Buildings Earn 2026 Maryland Green School Awards

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Five school buildings within Harford County Public Schools have received 2026 Maryland Green School Awards from the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

Dublin Elementary School earned the designation for the first time, joining a growing community of schools across the state committed to environmental education and sustainability, school officials stated.

"Achieving the Maryland Green School designation takes considerable work from the school staff and community," school officials stated.

Schools must demonstrate and document measurable efforts across four areas:

• sustainable environmental management practices,
• environmental education curriculum integration,
• professional development for staff,

• and community engagement.

Recertification is required every four years, meaning schools must continuously maintain and advance their environmental commitments to retain the designation.

This year's HCPS designees include:

• Dublin Elementary School -- First Award (New Maryland Green School)

• North Harford Elementary School -- Fourth Award (Sustainable School Status)

• Edgewood High School -- Third Award

• Bel Air Middle School -- Second Award

• Aberdeen High School -- Fifth Award (Sustainable Bronze)

This year marks the 18th consecutive year Aberdeen High School participated in the Maryland Green School Awards.

"This 18-year history with the program is a testament to the sustained commitment of its students, staff and community to environmental stewardship. Reaching Sustainable Bronze status reflects not just longevity, but continued growth and impact over nearly two decades," school officials stated.

These five Harford County Public Schools are among 702 Maryland Green Schools statewide, representing 40 percent of all public schools in Maryland. This year, 22 HCPS schools
participated in the program in some capacity.

"I am incredibly proud of the students, staff and families at each of these schools. Earning and maintaining a Maryland Green School designation takes real work and real commitment,” said HCPS Interim Superintendent Dyann Mack. “These schools are not just teaching environmental stewardship, they are living it every day. Teaching students the importance of sustainability is one of the most valuable things we can do as a school system. When students learn to care for the world around them, they carry that responsibility with them for the rest of their lives. That is the kind of impact that goes far beyond the classroom."