ATLANTA—On Sept. 27, students, staff and community volunteers rolled up their sleeves to make Cristo Rey Jesuit High School a healthier, more sustainable learning environment.

They focused on participating in a school-wide clean up and recycling initiative, launching an environmental awareness program, and encouraging student-led “trash-to-treasure” recycling projects. To commemorate the effort, the school will also create a mural representing the Cristo Rey motto to promote environmental sustainability.

More than 200 volunteers and students worked on these projects, many of which will be incorporated into the Cristo Rey curriculum.

The event was part of the Green Apple Day of Service, an initiative from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, that brings together advocates from around the world and encourages them to take action in their communities through service projects at local schools.