Portola High School was named a 2025 California Green Ribbon School sustainability honoree by the California Department of Education for their outstanding achievements in environmental excellence.
Portola has shown its dedication to sustainability by integrating practices into daily operations and student learning. The campus features water-efficient landscaping, the three-bin waste sorting system, donation of recovered edible food and infrastructure designed to reduce energy use and environmental impact. Students are also directly engaged in sustainability through a diverse curriculum that includes courses in environmental science, engineering and green technology. These programs not only educate, but also empower students and staff to take meaningful action.
“We are incredibly proud of Portola for being recognized as a 2025 California Green Ribbon School,” stated Joe Chapin, IUSD Director of Maintenance, Operations & Transportation. “Their commitment to sustainability amplifies the work the District has done and is continuing to do to reduce the District's environmental footprint while equipping them to become thoughtful caretakers of the planet for both now and in the future.”
Portola’s actions highlight the greater commitment to sustainability made by IUSD. Across the IUSD, schools and the District are making strides toward a more sustainable future, such as:
- Solar Power at Scale: 37 IUSD campuses are equipped with solar panels, helping the district significantly reduce its carbon footprint and reliance on nonrenewable energy.
- District-Wide Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: Like Portola, nearly every school in IUSD has transitioned to drought-tolerant landscaping and utilizes recycled water, conserving millions of gallons of water annually.
- Waste Diversion Efforts: All IUSD campuses use a standardized three-bin system (compost, recycling, landfill), encouraging responsible waste disposal and increasing landfill diversion rates. Food recovery share tables and a new Food Recovery Donation Program, which provides excess, edible food to local food banks, also help divert food waste.
- HEPA Filters and Increased Ventilation in Every Classroom: Clean indoor air is a top priority, with HEPA filters installed and improved ventilation systems throughout the district to support healthy learning environments.
- Eco-Safe Landscaping Chemicals: IUSD campuses use approved, environmentally friendly landscaping chemicals to protect soil, plants, and surrounding ecosystems.
Learn more about the California Green Ribbon Schools award program and IUSD’s sustainability initiatives.