MBS Earns USA Blue School Recognition for Ocean Literacy and Environmental Leadership

We are proud to announce that Morristown Beard School has been officially recognized as a USA Blue School, joining a growing network of schools across the country committed to promoting ocean literacy and environmental stewardship.

This significant milestone was celebrated during last Friday’s Middle School meeting. Lisa Swanson P ’21, along with a group of dedicated students, proudly accepted the USA Blue School Flag on behalf of the MBS community. The flag was presented by Dr. Meg Marrero, National Coordinator of USA Blue Schools, and serves as a powerful symbol of our school’s commitment to ocean education and environmental responsibility.

The USA Blue Schools initiative, led by the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), encourages K–12 schools to integrate ocean concepts across multiple disciplines, not just science. Through project-based, inquiry-driven learning, students explore the ocean’s influence on weather, climate, food systems, biodiversity, and even economics and culture. The program is designed to support a more ocean-literate society by helping students understand how the ocean impacts our daily lives—and how our actions impact the ocean.

At Morristown Beard School, this recognition highlights the deep interdisciplinary work already taking place in our classrooms. From our mini-boats creating cross-cultural connections, to science labs investigating marine ecosystems, our faculty and students are engaging with these complex topics in thoughtful and creative ways.

Joining the USA Blue School network also means that MBS will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded schools both nationally and internationally, creating new possibilities for exchange, collaboration, and innovative projects related to ocean health and sustainability.We are incredibly proud of our students and faculty whose passion and hard work made this recognition possible. It’s a meaningful step forward in our mission to nurture informed, engaged, and responsible citizens—on land and at sea.