Green Champions

Green Champions are school staff passionate about teaching environmental awareness and have the leadership skills needed to implement sustainable practices within their school culture. The Environmental & Conservation Services department aims to have one Green Champion at each school and an ancillary facility. Green Champions are eligible to earn a stipend.

• Green Champions will work with a school Green Team to develop a Sustainable Schools Action Plan, setting goals in the following areas to support our District policies:
  • Outdoor and Environmental Education
  • Energy and Water Conservation
  • Waste Reduction and Recycling
  • Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
  • Healthy Schools
  • Apply for recognition
• Each school that submits a Sustainable Schools Action Plan will be eligible for supplies that support school-based green programs and environmental education/classroom instruction.

District Preserves

The District manages nine permitted wetland and upland preserves at various properties throughout the county.  Several preserves are natural and others are man-made mitigation projects for school construction activities. The District maintains, enhances, and restores regulated sites including removal of exotic and invasive plant species.

The School District of Osceola County supports sustainability through environmental education programs, a dedicated study center, and partnerships with local government initiatives. The district's efforts align with broader county-level sustainability goals. 

School district environmental programs

• Environmental Study Center: The district owns a 19-acre tract of the Reedy Creek Swamp ecosystem, which serves as an environmental study resource center.
  • Fifth-grade classes visit the center for hands-on, environmental, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
  • An elevated boardwalk allows students to observe the ecosystem, which includes bald and pond cypress, various wildlife, and a natural history museum.
  • The center is also open to the public on weekends.
• Choice school environmental pathways: Some district schools offer specialized programs focused on environmental themes.

  • Mill Creek Elementary School has an Environmental Management and Energy Program.

  • Voyager K-8 is an Environmental STEM school that uses hands-on learning to teach students about sustainability.

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources: The district also supports the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and agriculture science programs, which promote a deeper understanding of the living environment through activities like growing crops and caring for animals. 

Schools can earn recognition at the state level through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognizes schools that commit to conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources through the Green School Designation Program. The program’s environmental guidelines help Florida primary and secondary schools evaluate operations, set goals and take specific actions to improve environmental performance. Designated Green Schools create a healthier environment for students, employees, and communities. Reducing water and energy use and reducing waste help lower operating costs. Osceola County School District currently has 1 Green Apple School:

2025, Sunrise Elementary School

The Osceola Schoold District is committed to sustainable design and construction, building to LEED or Green Globes standards.

LEED Rating System

LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a globally recognized certification for sustainable buildings. It evaluates projects on energy efficiency, water conservation, materials, indoor environmental quality, and innovation, offering four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Green Globes

Green Globes, created by the Green Building Initiative, is an alternative rating system that assesses energy use, water efficiency, resource management, and indoor environment. It offers flexibility, allowing building owners to select the sustainability features that best suit their needs.

Current Green Buildings in the District

Several buildings in the Osceola County School District have been built or renovated with green, high-performance, and sustainable features. The district's most notable green building is NeoCity Academy, Florida's first net-zero energy K-12 School.

Net-zero and high-performance buildings

• NeoCity Academy: This STEM high school in Kissimmee is Florida's first "zero-energy" K-12 facility. The building, completed in 2020, includes advanced insulation, a tight building envelope to minimize air leakage, and a large solar panel system on its roof to generate as much energy as it consumes.
• AAA High School: Under construction and planned to open in 2026, this high school is designed for high energy efficiency. Its features include an advanced building envelope and a target Energy Utilization Index (EUI) of 25 or less.
• Voyager K-8 School: This facility was designed to meet high-performance building criteria, including a target EUI of 25 or less and high energy efficiency. It is also designated as an Environmental STEM School.