Sustainability At Paideia

Commitment to the environment is a core part of Paideia’s Framework of Values: the school encourages students to take responsibility for the environment and for advocating preservation and protection of the natural world. Paideia strives to teach students that we must meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of future generations.

The Georgia Recycling Coalition, the Green Schools Alliance and U.S. Green Building Council have recognized Paideia’s achievements with commendations and awards.

Evidence of our commitment includes:

Switch to recycled paper (30 percent)
On campus composting program
School-wide recycling program
2 LEED certified buildings
Reusable dishes and cutlery loan program for small school events
Certified monarch butterfly habitat waystations
Marker recycling program
Native Organic plant sales
Sustainability themed community educational events
Community composting program at Pi Farm

Urban Agriculture

In 2012, Paideia hired an urban agriculture coordinator to engage the school community in learning about urban agriculture. Since the program's inception, students, teachers, and parents have engaged in learning about the synergistic relationships between growing crops, eating, raising animals, recycling waste, and the related nutritional and environmental benefits. Paideia families are enthusiastically embracing the value of urban agriculture by working with teachers and students to farm plots both on campus and in multiple locations in our community. Paideia's current farm site is located in East Atlanta on the grounds of Berea Menonite church.

Expanding Our Reach

In 2016, Paideia furthered its commitment to sustainability by establishing the position of sustainability coordinator. The sustainability coordinator works school-wide with students, faculty, and parents to help teachers initiate sustainability learning. The end goal of every sustainability learning project is that students feel empowered to make a difference in the world. Sustainability work is focused around collaboration to expand environmental education experiences for students, as well as working to provide the school with opportunities to bring sustainable practices into our operations and special events.

kids posing with trash bags in a green space

Student Climate Action Clubs

For students who want to commit to action beyond the classroom, a Climate Action club exists in multiple levels of the school: upper elementary, junior high, and high school. In club meetings students explore issues related to climate change, and brainstorm on actions they can take to help. Some of our activities have included a letter writing campaign to corporations, tree plantings, creek clean ups, and lobbying the school to change how we do what we do in order to reduce our carbon footprint.