The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) recognizes the importance of education and action related to environmental sustainability and responsibility. One way that school communities show their commitment to the environment is through the EcoSchools Canada certification program.
In the 2022-23 school year, 38 SCDSB schools earned EcoSchools certifications (nine platinum, 12 gold, four silver, six bronze, and seven schools achieved participant status) as a result of environmental actions, campaigns, and projects they completed this year. Eligible projects and activities include outdoor learning, school EcoTeams, community clean-ups, creating pollinator gardens, water and energy conservation, waste diversion, and more.
The following SCDSB schools achieved certification:
- Alcona Glen ES
- Angus Morrison ES
- Banting Memorial HS
- Barrie North CI
- Birchview Dunes ES
- Boyne River PS
- Cameron Street PS
- Chris Hadfield PS
- Codrington PS
- Collingwood CI
- Connaught PS
- Cookstown Central PS
- Eastview SS
- Forest Hill PS
- Fred C. Cook PS
- Harriett Todd PS
- Harvest Hills PS
- Hillsdale ES
- Innisdale SS
- James Keating ES
- Johnson Street PS
- Lake Simcoe PS
- Maple Ridge SS
- Marshview PS
- Minesing Central PS
- Nantyr Shores SS
- Nottawa ES
- Orchard Park PS
- Orillia SS
- Pine River ES
- Simcoe Shores SS - Bradford Campus
- Simcoe Shores SS - Midland Campus
- Simcoe Shores SS - North Barrie Campus
- Sunnybrae PS
- Tottenham PS
- Warnica PS
- West Bayfield ES
- W.R. Best Memorial PS
Certification promotes environmental literacy and action-based learning that students can take to make their schools more sustainable. The EcoSchools platform aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supporting the principles of the SCDSB Sustainability Policy.
The SCDSB was also recently recognized by the Climate Challenge Network as the tenth most energy efficient school board in Ontario in their 2023 Top Energy Performing School Boards Report, up one position from the 2022 report. These results were achieved through a systematic approach of identifying opportunities for energy saving, reducing the energy use of SCDSB schools while also optimizing occupant comfort and indoor air quality.
This initiative links directly to the SCDSB Strategic Priorities in the areas of Well-being and Community.
