Green Leaders: Mount Madonna Awarded County Green Business Recertification

Mount Madonna School (MMS) has received its Santa Cruz County Green Business recertification, and was acknowledged alongside other recipients during a ceremony held at the County Board of Supervisors Chambers on November 19.

“From the work done in the fifth grade and the amazing number of awards to recognize their achievements, to the way our school operates within an environmental framework and reduced impact, Mount Madonna School continues to demonstrate the environmental leadership that is necessary for today,” noted Mount Madonna School Board Member Carson Kelly. “I was proud to be the Mount Madonna School representative for this award reception, knowing that our school, on all fronts, does incredible environmental work and education.”

MMS was already in compliance with most of the certification requirements, yet that compliance required documenting. There were challenging aspects, too, such as getting all of the campus lighting up to the appropriate standards, given the varied array of lighting situations around the lower and upper campus facilities.

“We developed a ‘Green Team’ to manage the workload,” Mount Madonna School’s Office Manager, Monique Smith. “Still, each team member was also busy with their regular day-to-day duties and sometimes it was challenging to coordinate assigned tasks.”

To earn the recertification, MMS completed 80 measures in the categories of energy, pollution prevention, solid waste, transportation, wastewater, water, and community. The recertification is valid through June 2023.

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 Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, director of marketing & communications,

Nestled among the redwoods on 375 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.