The Northwest School

The Northwest School is an urban college preparatory school for grades 6-12 that prepares students to think critically, act compassionately, and own responsibility for their global home. Environmental sustainability (ES) has been an integral part of the school’s mission since its founding in 1981.

Environmental sustainability—interacting with the natural systems on which we depend, in a manner that enables current and future generations to thrive—is one of the most existential and urgent social justice issues of our time. At Northwest, caring for the environment is integrated into our daily routines, curriculum, institutional practices, and student leadership opportunities. Our key sustainability practices include: robust student and faculty engagement through the Environment Program and various sustainability groups, a student designed and managed urban farm/garden, a dining hall program that includes ES as one of its operating principles, an Outdoor Program that leads 10+ trips per year for 200+ students per year, recycling and compost bins throughout campus, a facilities departments that strives to improve energy efficiency and has environmentally conscious procurement practices, an endowment that has recently been transfer to 100% ESG screened investments, grade level trips relating to environmental issues, and curricular ties across grades and disciplines.