About

Environmental Sustainability

The Zorniger Environmental Laboratory

The Zorniger Environmental Laboratory (Z-Lab) facilitates immersive learning and exploration for students in all grades.

The Z-Lab is not just a place for plants. It is a think tank where our community of learners can plan, dream, nurture, experiment, solve problems, build relationships, and grow ideas for a more sustainable future.

Located at the center of our campus, the Z-Lab exemplifies the principles of the MVS Immersion Method and demonstrates that MVS is a leader in preparing students for the challenges of their generation.

Visit MVS

Environmental Sustainability Mission & Guiding Principles

“The Board of Trustees of The Miami Valley School affirms its steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability and to nurturing a culture where environmental stewardship is one of the lenses through which the school considers our initiatives, actions, and decisions.”

- MVS Board of Trustees Affirmation Statement, adopted June 2023

“In support of the MVS mission to foster global citizenship, the department of environmental sustainability seeks to move our school community toward sustainable habits of mind for personal living and a minimal environmental footprint through a sustainability curriculum for students, a culture of environmental stewardship for all, and sustainable facilities, grounds and operations.”

- Department of Environmental Sustainability Mission Statement, developed during self-study year 2022-2023.

Curriculum

The MVS Department of Environmental Sustainability has developed a student curriculum across all age levels at the school.

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

Early Childhood & Lower Schools

Early Childhood & Lower Schools (JPK-Grade 5)

Beginning with our youngest learners, lower school students are immersed in a rich, experience-based gardening curriculum focused on learning by doing. Students plan, sow seeds, transplant seedlings, nurture plants, and ultimately harvest, all while learning about seasonal cycling, how to grow your own food, methods that restore or maintain healthy soil, support native plants and animals, and contribute to human health.
Middle School

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Middle school students expand their view of sustainability by engaging with the natural world beyond the Z-Lab garden. The connections between and among the many factors and organisms of the natural world are emphasized, and students progress from observation and exploration to action and advocacy for sustainability. During their time in the Z-Lab, middle schoolers practice skills of teamwork, kindness toward others, and reflection for self awareness.
Upper School

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

Upper school students deepen their understanding of the human impact on the natural world through semester-long elective courses. These courses explore place-based ecology; the carbon economy; local, national and global environmental and climate challenges; and sustainable living. Immersive experiences include data collection and analysis, exposure to DIY skills, field trips, maple sugaring, and nature journaling with intense observation of the place where we live. Students learn about the environmental challenges we face now and into the future, and hope is fostered by showing them ways they can make a difference through individual and societal change. Frequent opportunities for reflection foster self awareness, group work enhances interpersonal communication and teamwork skills, and gratitude for the natural world is encouraged throughout these courses.

Environmental Sustainability Awards & Certifications

List of 7 items.

Bring Your Green Award

Given in 2021 for the high number of MVS participants in the Bring Your Green platform of sustainable practices.
Certified Green Business

MVS became a Certified Green Business with Dayton Regional Green in 2021.
Outstanding Environmental Education Project

Given by the Ohio EPA in 2024 for a hydroponic vertical farming project by middle school students in collaboration with Dayton Foodbank and Mission of Mary Farm.
Gold Level Encouraging Environmental Excellence Award

Given in 2024, the Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Education Program recognizes any K-12 public or private school for achievements in environmental stewardship and efforts to educate and involve students on environmental topics.
Ohio Recycling & Litter Prevention Grant

MVS has received the Ohio EPA Water Bottle Fill Station Grant, part of the Ohio Recycling and Litter Prevention Grant program, in 2023 and 2024. A total of $5,630.00 was awarded to MVS to fund water bottle fill station equipment. All indoor water fountains on campus now have bottle refill stations.
Montgomery County Waste Reduction & Education Grant

MVS has earned the Montgomery County Solid Waste Management District Waste Reduction and Education Grant for 4 years in a row (2022-2025), for a total of $51,525.51 awarded to MVS to fund purchase of equipment to enhance the school's recycling program and reduce landfill waste.
Energy Efficiency Program for Ohio Communities Grant

MVS earned an Energy Efficiency Program for Ohio Communities grant, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and administered by Ohio’s Department of Development and its Office of Energy and Environment, to fund upgrading interior and exterior lighting on MVS campus to LED lighting. Over 90% of campus lighting is now LED lighting, which uses up to 90% less energy and lasts 25 times longer than incandescent and fluorescent lighting. MVS was awarded $250,000 to fund equipment for these upgrades.

Campus Facilities

Zorniger Environmental Laboratory, Greenhouse, and Gardens - spaces for students in grades JPK-12 to study environmental science

Pond - used by all divisions to observe and explore pond ecosystems

Bird Blind and Bluebird Nest Box Trail - both are registered sites with Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology Project FeederWatch and Project NestWatch. These two projects are citizen science projects and our students are involved in collecting and submitting data for them.