Coyote Willow Family School Named National Green Ribbon School

The announcement by the U.S. Secretary of Education was made on Earth Day.

The U.S. Department of Education announced on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, that Albuquerque Public Schools Coyote Willow Family School is among the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees. 

Coyote Willow Family School was nominated by the New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority.  Coyote Willow is an APS Magnet K-8 program. Students attend a public school program that combines a half-day or 80 percent of classroom instruction with a half-day or 20 percent of home-based instruction.

The magnet school, opened in 2017, has design features, curriculum and student projects that touch all three pillars of the Green Ribbon Schools initiative. The school design and operation is increasingly energy efficient; staff, student and parent health and wellness is integral to the school programs; and the curriculum fully and naturally incorporates principles of environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Coyote Willow Principal Adrianne Lytle thanked APS taxpayers as well as the entire Coyote community for their commitment to ongoing sustainability and environmental education through the school's inquiry-based, student-driven learning design. "As Coyote Willow grows in the coming years, we hope to find more ways to engage with our community partnerships and drive student, family, and community wellness through service, sustainability, and curriculum."

In 2007, the APS Board of Education adopted the U.S. Green Building Standards for all school construction. This ensures that all schools are designed and constructed to be sustainable, cost and energy efficient, equitable, instructionally relevant and healthy learning environments when utilizing taxpayer dollars. The District currently has over 50 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings, thanks to local taxpayer commitment to sustainability.

Across the country, 39 schools, 11 districts, and five postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. 

The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 27 states. The selectees include 28 public schools, including three magnet schools and four charter schools, as well as 11 nonpublic schools. Forty-five percent of the 2020 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body.   

Related Links:

• The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages.
• A report with highlights on the 55 honorees.
• More information on the federal recognition award.
• Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars.