StopWaste partners with schools and districts that demonstrate ongoing commitment to environmental education and waste reduction. These partnerships provide priority access to resources, specialized support, and emerging program opportunities.
Anchor Schools
What is an Anchor School?
Anchor Schools are institutions committed to educating students through action-based learning to stop waste at school, home, and in their communities. Approximately 40+ schools across 18 Alameda County districts currently hold this designation.
Requirements
- Participated in a StopWaste program within the preceding three years
- Designate one lead administrator, educator, or club leader as primary contact
Commitments
- Dedicate planning time for collaborative work with StopWaste educators
- Support student-initiated action projects and classroom instruction
- Participate in educational field trips
- Serve as test sites for emerging waste reduction initiatives
Benefits
- Priority consideration for specialized project support
- Access to educational materials and resources
- First access to innovative programming opportunities
List of Current Anchor Schools:
| School District | Schools |
| Alameda Unified | Bay Farm School Edison Elementary Nea Community Learning Center Lincoln Middle School |
| Albany Unified | Ocean View Elementary |
| Berkeley Unified | Malcolm X Elementary |
| Castro Valley Unified | Chabot Elementary Castro Valley High School |
| Dublin Unified | John Green Elementary |
| Emery Unified | Emery Secondary School |
| Fremont Unified | Ardenwood Elementary Forest Park Elementary American High School |
| Livermore Valley Joint Unified | Altamont Creek Elementary Junction Ave K-8 School Livermore High School |
| New Haven Unified | Searles Elementary Kitayama Elementary |
| Oakland Unified | Acorn Woodland Elementary Burckhalter Elementary Encompass Academy Joaquin Miller Elementary Lighthouse Community Charter School Melrose Leadership Academy Sequoia Elementary Montera Middle School Castlemont High School Oakland School for the Arts |
| Piedmont Unified | Piedmont Middle School |
| Pleasanton Unified | Mohr Elementary Amador Valley High School |
| San Leandro Unified | Garfield Elementary James Monroe Elementary Roosevelt Elementary John Muir Middle School San Leandro High School |
| San Lorenzo Unified | Colonial Acres Elementary Hesperian Elementary |
| Sunol Glen Unified | Sunol Glen School |
Priority School Districts
What is a Priority District?
Priority School Districts have made formal commitments to waste reduction by passing school board resolutions supporting three-stream sorting and food waste prevention.
Requirements
- Implementing three-stream waste sorting (recycling, composting, and landfill)
- Working toward less than 10% recyclable/compostable materials in landfill-bound waste
- Including food waste prevention/reduction in their school board resolution
Current Priority Partners
- Alameda Unified
- Albany Unified
- Berkeley Unified
- Castro Valley Unified
- Emery Unified
- Fremont Unified
- Livermore Valley Joint Unified
- New Haven Unified
- Oakland Unified
- Pleasanton Unified
- San Lorenzo Unified
- Sunol Glen Unified
Benefits
Priority Districts receive free environmental education services and resources, including support for preventing food waste in school cafeterias.