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Sustainability
Our Philosophy
Princeton Day School’s mission is to prepare students “to act knowledgeably, to lead thoughtfully, to share generously, and to contribute meaningfully.” To fulfill this mission, we must graduate students who understand the ecological consequences of their actions. We believe that the students themselves are our largest carbon footprint, that their personal and professional decisions now and in the future will help determine the fate of the planet.
Our Goal
Our goal is to nurture a culture of environmental stewardship by working simultaneously in facilities, behavior, and curriculum. We want our graduates to understand that they live in a world of limited resources, that everything is connected, and that how they use those resources affects the lives of future generations.
Our Green History
We decided in 2006 to make greening the school one of our major initiatives; it was clear that a 21st century education was incomplete without teaching eco-literacy and modeling ecological decision-making in our institutional behavior and on our campus. Today our sustainability program is considered one of the best in the country and our graduates are known for their environmental activism and stewardship. We are founding members of OASIS (Organizing Action on Sustainability In Schools), a NJ non-profit school consortium, helping to model and lead the way to school sustainability statewide.
Princeton Day Announces Environmental Stewardship with ENGIE Agreement. Read more!
milestones
2017 Eco-Schools Green Flag Award
2016 Gold-Level River-Friendly School Certification from Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
2015 New Jersey Green Ribbon School
Green Restaurant Association - 4-Star Designation
Garden of the Year from NJ Farm to School Network 2015
2011 Bronze Level River-Friendly School Certification from Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association
2009 Kiwi Magazine Grand Prize “Crusaders Award for Excellence in School Meals”
2009 Green Cup Challenge national winner (for energy reduction)
News
Princeton Day School co-hosted this year's Edible Jersey Holiday Market. The event was a huge success, showcasing the products of over 30 local small businesses while raising awareness about Princeton Day School's Sustainability Program.
Princeton Day School formally dedicated Isaac's Greenhouse and the Penny Wallace '69 Courtyard in a ceremony on October 28. The new greenhouse was made possible thanks to a generous donation by Randy Mehrberg and his wife Michele Schara, parents of PDS alumni Sam '11 and Eric '19, and is named for the son of Sustainability Coordinator Liz Cutler. Ms. Cutler's passion to develop the School's sustainability program, combined with Isaac's radiant personality, inspired the Mehrberg-Schara family. See the full story and photo gallery.
Happy throngs of PDS community members enjoyed delicious food and lessons in sustainability in the Garden and surrounding outdoor spaces along with tours of the new greenhouse and courtyard. This year's Harvest Festival theme, "Arts in the Garden," featured multiple student performances and student artwork in Garden areas and Kristy's Meadow.
On October 19, 2019, the PDS Garden celebrates 11 years of bringing joy, sustenance, beauty and sustainability practice to the Princeton Day School community. PDS families won't want to miss this year's Harvest Festival, which will focus on Arts in the Garden!
The English Elective, Food For Thought: Food, Culture, and Writing, went on a full day "farm to table" field trip in early October. The class visited Lima Family Farm, North Slope Farm and Doublebrook Farm. The trip concluded with a wonderful lunch at Brick Farm Market featuring some of the food they saw being raised.