Healthier Generation Releases 2022 List of America’s Healthiest Schools

Alliance for a Healthier Generation, one of the nation’s preeminent children’s health organizations, today announced the 2022 list of America’s Healthiest Schools. Supported by Harmony SEL at National University, Kaiser Permanente, and Kohl’s, this recognition celebrates 406 schools across 26 states for their achievements in advancing the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of students, staff, and families. 

This year, Healthier Generation expanded its award program to meet schools and districts where they are, celebrating excellence amid ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic inequities, especially for individuals that identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) and youth from under-resourced communities. Nearly 75% of the awardees are Title I schools, and nearly two-thirds serve majority BIPOC students. 

Schools can be recognized for implementing best practices in up to nine topic areas, based on criteria in the Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment: 

1. Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented in collaboration with Harmony SEL at National University and Kaiser Permanente  

2. Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented in collaboration with Harmony SEL at National University and Kaiser Permanente  

3. Increasing Family and Community Engagement, presented in collaboration with Kohl’s 

4. Improving Nutrition and Food Access 

5. Implementing Local School Wellness Policy  

6. Bolstering Physical Education and Activity  

7. Enriching Health Education  

8. Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools

9. Supporting School Health Services

​​​​​Eleven schools that earned recognition in all nine topic areas received an All-Star distinction: Alton Elementary School (TX), Carl Waitz Elementary (TX), Cedarcreek Elementary School (CA), Curtisville Primary Center (PA), Griffin Middle School (GA), IDEA Pflugerville Academy (TX), IDEA Pflugerville College Prep (TX), Oak Hill Elementary School (MO), Springhill Lake Elementary School (MD), Wilkinson ECC Elementary School (MO), and West Creek Academy (CA).   

“Today, and every day, we invite the nation to join Healthier Generation as we honor our schools for their resourcefulness and dedication to addressing the total wellness needs of their students,” said Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer at Healthier Generation. “This particular cohort of ‘America’s Healthiest Schools’ exemplifies the fortitude required to serve current and future generations with equity and care.” 

America’s Healthiest Schools remains one of the country’s longest-running nationwide recognition programs honoring schools for achievements in supporting the whole health needs of students and school staff. Since its founding, Healthier Generation has supported more than 53,000 schools and has helped create healthier environments for over 31 million children. 

View the complete list of America’s Healthiest Schools at HealthierGeneration.org/HealthiestSchools. 

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About Alliance for a Healthier Generation 

Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a leading children's health organization that advances equitable whole child health. Driven by our passion to ensure that every mind, every body, and every young person is healthy and ready to succeed, our work has reached over 31 million young people across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.