This study aims to identify the characteristics of the school facilitating ESD-effectiveness. Via a literature study we synthesized different notions of educational management in relation to education for sustainable development. The ERIC and GreenFILE databases were searched in combination with strategies such as citation chasing, leading to a total of 46 sources. This resulted in a framework that identifies eight characteristics of an ESD-effective school organization: sustainable leadership, school resources, pluralistic communication, supportive relations, collective efficacy, adaptability, democratic decision-making and shared vision. The identification of these characteristics could be a starting point for further research on ESD effectiveness and ESD at the school level. Furthermore, this framework offers educational practitioners working with ESD better insight into their school organization.