Catoctin High School is the smallest high school in the district and serves the rural, mountainous, and agricultural northern half of Frederick County.  The community is tight knit, which allows for collaboration across diverse student interest groups to achieve change.

The Conservation Club has spearheaded numerous sustainable changes within the school and community, and often rallies support from other student groups to plant trees, pull invasive plants, increase environmental education, and more. Staff at Catoctin High School collaborate across disciplines to put environmental literacy at the heart of English, science, and history learning.  And each year, the school partners with town entities, such as the Thurmont Regional Library to host an annual human impact film festival. 

 

The school's green culture also impacts the county as a whole.  Students from Catoctin have been active in advocating for sustainable changes within local government by attending town halls, providing comment at school board meetings, meeting with food services and facilities to discuss best practices, and setting up meetings with school decision makers.

 

Top 5 Accomplishments:

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1. Successfully advocated for compostable packaging as a substitute for non-recyclable

plastic clamshells in the cafeteria.

2. Awarded the MSDE School Waste Reduction and Composting Grant to start a cafeteria composting program. 
3. Achieved sustained financial support from FCPS for composting efforts.
4. Awarded the MDOT Urban Tree Planting Grant and planted 43 native trees on campus.
5. Continuous student involvement with local organizations in community environmental

and sustainability efforts.