Rainbow Board one of four in Canada to achieve 100 per cent EcoSchools certification

As one of only four school boards in Canada to achieve 100 per cent EcoSchools certification, Rainbow District School Board continues to lead the way in environmental learning and climate action. This year, schools earned either Platinum or Gold, the highest levels of certification.

“Congratulations to the entire Rainbow District School Board community for achieving 100 per cent EcoSchools Certification for the fifth year,” said Sierra Frank, Co-Executive Director with EcoSchools Canada. “This outstanding achievement demonstrates your strong commitment to environmental stewardship and student leadership, and it sets an inspiring example for school districts across the country. We celebrate your accomplishment and look forward to the continued impact you will make in the year ahead.”

The number of schools that qualified for the highest levels of certification doubled last year and continues to grow. Rainbow District School Board added three schools to the Platinum designation and three schools to the Gold designation in the current school year.

In 2026, Rainbow Schools earned 28 Platinum and 12 Gold certifications. In 2025, Rainbow Schools earned 25 Platinum, 9 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze certifications.

A total of 31 schools were awarded a 5 years certified badge last year and three more were added this year. Five schools were awarded a 10 years certified badge last year and three more were added this year. One school was awarded a 15 years certified badge this year.

A total of 34 schools were awarded a Project 2050 badge this year. Schools that earn a Project 2050 badge are celebrated for taking meaningful climate action, such as packing waste-free lunches, switching off unnecessary lights, and planting trees to green their communities.

Rainbow District School Board Chair David Farrow commended schools on their outstanding achievement. “Students and staff continue to work with purpose and with passion to address climate change,” he said. “We have instilled in students and the school communities that we serve eco-friendly practices that will last a lifetime.”

“Our schools continue to demonstrate that the smallest of changes can have profound impacts,” said Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bourget. CEO Bourget praised the Board’s Environmental Education Committee for its leadership and all schools for their stewardship. “Environmental Education and Sustainability is a Board priority that our students, staff and school communities have taken to heart, year after year. We have achieved 100 per cent EcoSchools certification for four consecutive years. These sustained efforts are certainly a source of tremendous pride.”

He added: “Students are adopting values and behaviours that have a positive impact on our planet, transferring what they are learning in the classroom into their homes and into their communities. Once again, this generation is leading the way, paving the path forward for those who will follow in their footsteps.”

According to EcoSchools Canada, any level of certification is an achievement to be proud of. It indicates that a school is taking action on climate change while empowering students to make climate-conscious decisions in their daily lives, and to share these learnings with their families and communities.

The significance of the certifications is best reflected in the overall impact these environmental efforts have on the planet by supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

During the 2025-2026 school year, there were 408 whole school initiatives, 857 environmental leaders, 11,600 Earth Day participants, 2,800 students using sustainable transportation, 448 classrooms optimized, 4,900 waste-free lunches, 7,600 kilograms of waste diverted, and 6,600 hours of outdoor learning.

The EcoSchools Team at Assiginack Public School visited classrooms weekly in January to collect recycling and document if their waste was being sorted properly. The EcoSchools Team created slides and daily announcements to support their peers with proper sorting practices. After their efforts, the students noticed far less contamination.

At Redwood Acres Public School, students in Kindergarten and Intensive Support Program classes spent one hour learning outdoors every day. Students also participated in several outdoors days. Lessons in Math, Literacy, and Art were held outside. During the school’s Health-a-thon event, students spent the day outside participating in physical activities and an Elder shared knowledge about the Medicine Wheel and Sweetgrass.

Rainbow Schools promoted responsible consumption and production, climate action, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and sustainable cities and communities throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

The top 10 environmental actions that occurred in Rainbow Schools were good on one side paper recycling, Earth Day, The Great Gulp, create your own action, waste-free lunch, National Sweater Day, switch off lights and devices, community clean-up, divert textile waste, and staff professional development.

The EcoSchools commitment is the cornerstone of the Board’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Guided by five key principles – promotion of global stewardship through EcoSchools Canada Certification practices, inclusive of Indigenous perspectives, evidence based and data driven initiatives, supporting educators with knowledge and resources, and working closely with community partners – the plan aims to raise student, educator, staff and parent/guardian awareness of environmentally responsible practices; embed eco policies within the Board’s strategic planning, supporting sustainability; and establish environmental leadership groups to empower others to act as responsible environmental citizens.

EcoSchools provides benchmarks for environmental learning and action in Canada, instilling in students the proficiencies, perspectives and practices to help them become environmentally responsible citizens inside and outside of the classroom. Certification recognizes achievement in six key areas: ecological literacy, energy conservation, environmental stewardship, school ground greening, teamwork and leadership, and waste minimization.

Monthly environmental challenges, which include an Indigenous component, have proven to be an effective way to broaden the scope of education and environmental action. Through an Anishinaabe perspective, students have the opportunity to experience and understand profound customs and teachings to place an even greater value on the protection of our planet, our home, Mother Earth “Shkagamikwe”. Relevant Anishinaabemowin reinforces appropriate action to support the environmental focus for the month.

Environmental Challenges for the 2025-2026 school year included Waste Reduction Week, World Paper Free Day, Green Gathering and Green Events, E-Waste Clean-up Week, Energy Challenge Month, Water Week/World Water Day, Earth Day/Earth Week, EcoSummit/Wildlife Month, Walk/Ride to School and World Environment Day.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.