Sustainability at Our Schools

Sherborn public schools, both local (Pine Hill Elementary School, located in Sherborn), and regional (Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle and High Schools, located in Dover), receive strong support from all residents because of the widely shared commitment to educational excellence. Sustainability plays an important role in the classroom as well as in the energy performance of the buildings.

Sherborn schools are places where teachers and students are invested in environmentalism in numerous ways. The Down to Earth Club at DSHS promotes recycling in the school and organizes composting in the cafeteria. In February 2020, the Sustainability Task Force emerged as an initiative by Superintendent Dr. Keough for empowering students to lead environmental actions they envision in our school district and the community. Students advocate for a stronger environmentally-focused curriculum, for expanding the school garden with pollinator-friendly plants, and examining ways to reduce water consumption in the irrigation system.

Pine Hill Elementary School has received LED lighting, additional insulation, and HVAC upgrades and is currently undergoing a feasibility study for geothermal and rooftop solar systems. The DSHS campus receives about 50% of the green electricity generated by solar farm on Dover's landfill. There are opportunities to expand renewable energy generation for the schools. 

At Pine Hill Elementary School, the Community School Association (CSA) received a grant for restoring a garden-based outdoor classroom that teaches children the importance of maintaining natural habitats for the survival of native bird species in times of worsening climate change. As a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) certified Schoolyard Habitat®, the Pine Hill Bird Garden is going to model sustainable garden practices for school families and the community at large. Examples include planting bird, bee and butterfly-friendly perennials, installing bird houses, and organic lawn management.