Congratulations to the Ladue Middle School Planet Protectors, who have been named the Middle School Rookie Category Winner in the 2024-2025 Green Schools Quest, an annual sustainability challenge sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council-Missouri Gateway Chapter!

The Green Schools Quest invites PreK–12 schools across the region to implement no or low-cost sustainability projects over six months. With guidance from a community Green Mentor, students identify environmental challenges, develop creative solutions, and document their impact for judging. Top teams receive cash prizes, trophies, and recognition for their commitment to creating greener, healthier school communities.

This year, Ladue Middle School’s (LMS) Planet Protectors, a student-driven club just under two years old, impressed the judging panel with a wide range of impactful projects—all aligned with this year’s theme of Biodiversity and Wellness.

Under the leadership of LMS English Language Arts teacher Karin Wallace, the Planet Protectors have grown into a vibrant group of 31 sixth through eighth graders, already making a meaningful impact on sustainability and campus beautification.

Projects included:

• Replacing Styrofoam trays in the cafeteria with reusable ones
• Collaborating with Planting Shade to plant native trees and pollinator-friendly plants
• Launching a citizen science initiative with the Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative
• Leading campus clean-up efforts and tracking plastic waste
• Collecting over 120 pounds of plastic caps to build a Buddy Bench with the Freddie Ford Foundation
• Installing a multi-tiered composting system using 100 red composting worms
• Developing a Ladue Education Foundation (LEF) & Alumni Association grant-funded outdoor classroom space and vegetable garden, set to launch in Fall 2025

“These projects are a strong representation of both the Planet Protectors’ and Ladue Schools’ missions,” said Wallace. “Our students recognize our interdependence and understand the implications of plastic pollution and climate change. This club began with "changemakers" who wanted to make a difference, and they are.”  

One of the group’s proudest accomplishments this year has been designing and developing the outdoor classroom and garden, funded by a LEF grant. 

“There were several iterations and stages involved in the planning,” Wallace shared. “And yet, our students showed incredible dedication, commitment, and positivity throughout the process. My Green School Quest parent mentor and I spent months writing a grant proposal to fund this space. Fortunately, the LEF saw our efforts as a worthy addition and fully funded our project! We are beginning to order plants, furniture, and tools to make this space come to fruition by Fall 2025.”

The club has also become a model for student voice and mentorship at Ladue Middle School. 

“Our students know that if they have an idea or a dream, their teachers will support them and help bring it to life,” Wallace said. “Clubs like Planet Protectors give younger students a voice and the opportunity to be mentored and encouraged to pursue future leadership roles.”

Looking ahead, Wallace hopes this award inspires even more environmental efforts across the district. “I hope this award can inspire other students to dream big and create their own sustainability project. I am thrilled to learn about our newly formed District Sustainability Committee. I hope this will provide some cohesiveness and collaboration to elevate the many wonderful projects that are already taking place in all of our buildings. I hope others are inspired to dream big.”

The Planet Protectors will be honored with a $400 check and trophy at the Ladue Schools Board of Education meeting on May 14 at 6 p.m. at Ladue Horton Watkins High School.

Please join us in celebrating the LMS Planet Protectors and their inspiring commitment to a greener, more sustainable future—for our schools and community.