The Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools Prize (Energy CLASS Prize) is a two-phase, $4.5 million competitive award promoting capacity building and energy management in school districts across America. The competition was designed to help some of the nation’s highest-need K–12 schools make critical clean energy and health improvements by establishing, training, and supporting energy managers—or champions—in their districts.
Phase 1 winners will each receive $100,000 in cash prizes, along with coaching and skills development from professionals in the newly-established Energy CLASS Prize Training Network. At the end of Phase 2, based on their performance, Phase 1 Winners will be eligible for an additional $50,000 in funding.
Congratulations to our Winners!
On May 5, 2023, the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced 25 Phase 1 Winners of the Energy CLASS Prize. Use the links below to learn more about the winning teams!
- Albemarle County Public Schools, VA
- Baltimore City Public Schools, MD
- Brevard Public Schools, FL
- Canajoharie Central School District, NY
- City Schools of Decatur, GA
- Detroit Public Schools Community District, MI
- East Cleveland City School District, OH
- Elkhorn Area School District, WI
- Environmental Charter Schools, CA
- Granite School District, UT
- IDEA Public Schools, TX
- Irvington Public Schools, NJ
- Jackson County School District, MS
- Lansing Public School District, MI
- Martin County School District, KY
- Mascoma Valley Regional School District – SAU 62, NH
- Milwaukee Public Schools, WI
- Natchez Adams School District, MS
- Nenana City School District, AK
- Northeast Washington Educational Service District 101, WA
- Orange County Public Schools, FL
- Paducah Public Schools, KY
- San Antonio Independent School District, TX
- Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, VT
- Unified School District No. 500, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, KS
More Information
Twenty-five Local Education Agencies (LEAs) will each receive $100,000 in cash prizes to establish, train, and support energy managers in their schools. These Phase 1 Winners will also gain access to coursework, training, and coaching as part of the newly-established Energy CLASS Prize Training Network.
Phase 2 is expected to extend until May 2024. During Phase 2, Phase 1 Winners will engage with the Energy CLASS Prize Training Network for coursework, skills development, and coaching. Energy Champions will learn how to better identify upgrade opportunities, as well as how to plan, execute, and maintain improvement projects prioritized by their schools.
At the end of Phase 2, based on their performance, Phase 1 Winners may be eligible for an additional $50,000 in funding.
Review our Energy CLASS Prize Media Promotion Toolkit for ways to engage with and amplify the news of the Energy CLASS Prize and its winners.
Subscribe for more information about the Renew America's Schools Program.
Explore more resources for implementing energy upgrades in schools!