The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

LEAF's environmental high school partners work to ensure students are engaged in environmental lessons and activities throughout the school year. The LEAF internship program is only one part of this partnership. Together, we combine The Nature Conservancy's science and access to natural areas with the lessons learned in school to provide students with the web of mentors, alumni, and peers that is fundamental to successful youth development programs.

Please see our Get Involved with LEAF page for more information.

Academy for Conservation and the Environment
Brooklyn, New York
The mission of the Academy for Conservation and the Environment is to empower students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue their dreams, excel in their studies, and make a positive change in their environment, their communities, and the world. 

The Academy for Environmental Leadership
Brooklyn, New York
This is a small learning community that develops skills through an approach to learning focused on science, mathematics and technology to develop the capacity of students to become environmental leaders. 

The Academy of Urban Planning
Brooklyn, New York
Based in Brooklyn, New York, the Academy's urban planning, theme-based curriculum draws students out of the classroom and into their communities to develop skills that will move them toward higher education and professional careers. 

Al Raby School for Community and Environment
Chicago, Illinois
The Al Raby School for Community and Environment inspires students to intellectual excellence and personal responsibility through community and environmental activism. The Al Raby School envisions students who think critically, argue effectively, and use technology appropriately in secondary and post-secondary education while developing a commitment to social and environmental causes. 

Arabia Mountain High School
Lithonia, Georgia
The mission for Arabia Mountain High School is to engage students in active learning and service through collaborative instruction using the school and community as context for developing understanding of human and environmental interactions while preparing students for involved citizenship in a changing world.
WINNER: 2012 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS AWARD 

The Barack Obama Green Charter High School
Plainfield, New Jersey
The mission of this school is to prepare students to become informed, engaged and independent critical thinkers and to inspire leaders for sustainable development with a focus on our environment. Students will be educated in a school community that fosters high expectations for both achievement and conduct and facilitates clear connections between the curriculum, the community and the world. 

Boston Green Academy
Boston, Massachusetts
BGA is a new Horace Mann Charter School in the Boston Public Schools, preparing students for college and the 21st century workforce with a focus on leadership, science, and global citizenship. BGA prepares students to be leaders in environmental stewardship and activism, to live their lives responsibly and sustainably, and to be prepared to succeed in the burgeoning “green” economy. 

The Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment
Brooklyn, New York
This academy is a three-campus New York City Public High School that integrates the missions and resources of Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to offer academic excellence and rigor. 

Common Ground
New Haven, Connecticut
This is a center for environmental learning and leadership located at the base of New Haven's West Rock Ridge. Its mission is to cultivate habits of healthy living and sustainable environmental practice among a diverse community of children, young people, and adults. Common Ground accomplishes this mission through an environmental education center, a charter high school focused on the environment, and an urban demonstration farm. 

Environmental Charter High School
Lawndale, California
This is an award-winning public charter high school with a unique experiential learning design for college prep. It inspires students to learn about environmental issues facing our planet, how to become effective agents for change, and how to implement local solutions.
WINNER: 2012 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS AWARD 

The Green School
New York, New York
This is a 9th-12th grade learning community that develops science, math, literacy, and social studies skills in the context of New York City's many environments. Through rigorous interdisciplinary curricula and hands-on experiential projects, students engage with their environment, participate meaningfully in community life, and prepare for their futures.  

Green Tech High Charter School
Albany, New York
This is an all-male charter school that provides high quality, college preparatory education for Albany students in a safe, small-school setting that offers an extended school day, a longer school year, extensive literacy instruction, and programs that emphasize environmental awareness and technological proficiency. 

The High School for Environmental Studies
New York, New York
This school aims to reach high standards of excellence by providing a unique curriculum that combines environmentally-infused college preparatory courses with applied-learning experiences and hands-on activities. 

The New York Harbor School
New York, New York
This school provides a college-preparatory education built upon New York City's maritime experience. The rigorous, college preparatory curriculum teaches on water job skills and environmental stewardship by utilizing New York City’s waterways. 

Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies
Brooklyn, NY
The mission is to promote academic rigor and excellence through a strong standard-based curriculum with a concentration in Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences.  Partnerships with the New York Aquarium, the Brooklyn Center for Environmental Studies and other institutions offer students opportunities for learning and developing experiences for educational excellence.

Science and Math Institute (SAMI)
Tacoma, Washington
SAMI creates an inclusive high school learning community that provides integrated, inquiry-based experiences utilizing our natural and community resources, combining science, mathematics, and the arts. 

The Sound School Regional Vocational Aquaculture Center
New Haven, Connecticut
The mission of this school is to produce citizens of the United States and the World who can think critically; solve problems, question, and act with facility and fluency. The Sound School Regional Vocational Aquaculture Center is the first full-time center to concentrate in the study of aquaculture and marine trades.    

The Urban Assembly School For Green Careers
New York, New York
The Urban Assembly School for Green Careers aims to prepare students for environmental work either in "green buildings" (such as architecture, engineering or solar panel installation) or "green spaces" (such as gardening or forestry). 

Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative @ Balboa High School
San Francisco, California
WALC is a small learning community that integrates environmental education with science, history, literature, art and technology within two high schools in San Francisco at Balboa High School. WALC seeks to nurture within students an awareness of and connection to the different histories and heritage of their communities, as well as the ecological processes that underlie all existence.