Healthier Generation Releases 2024 List of America’s Healthiest Schools

National children’s health organization Alliance for a Healthier Generation today released its annual list of America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Supported by Del Monte Foods, Kaiser Permanente, and Kohl’s, a total of 879 schools across 30 states—the highest number awarded to date—have been recognized for their achievements in advancing the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of students, staff, and families. 

To make the list, schools apply for recognition in up to nine health-related categories:  

1. Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente  
2. Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente  
3. Increasing Family & Community Engagement, presented by Kohl’s 
4. Improving Nutrition & Food Access, presented by Del Monte Foods 
5. Implementing Local School Wellness Policy  
6. Bolstering Physical Education & Activity  
7. Enriching Health Education  
8. Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools 
9. Supporting School Health Services  

Sixty-six of this year’s awardees achieved All-Star status by earning recognition in all nine topic areas. California, Texas, and Kentucky had the highest number of awarded schools (169, 167, and 117, respectively). Seventy-nine percent of awardees are Title I schools, and 64 percent serve a majority of Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) students. 

“We invite the nation to join us in honoring America’s Healthiest Schools for their commitment to meeting the health needs of their students, staff, and families,” said Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer at Healthier Generation. “As educators across the nation grapple with challenges from historic levels of chronic absenteeism to a youth mental health crisis, America’s Healthiest Schools serve as models of resilience and determination. With support from Healthier Generation’s resources and staff, these award-winning schools are implementing best practices and policies to better serve their learning communities.” 

In October, Healthier Generation will gather the most highly-awarded schools in Little Rock, AR to network, share best practices, and celebrate at the annual America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit. 

See the list of this year’s awardees at HealthierGeneration.org/2024-awardees, and learn more about America's Healthiest Schools at HealthierGeneration.org/healthiest-schools.

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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 and 56,000 schools across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.