How to Become a Healthy School

A healthy school is one where school administration, teachers, parents, students and community agencies work together to create an environment that is a healthy setting for living, learning and working.

Using a “healthy schools” (link to what is a healthy schools approach) or comprehensive approach to school health helps to promote and integrate health within and beyond the classroom. The benefits of a healthy school community extend beyond the students, and also positively impacts school staff, parents and the community as a whole.

There are six simple steps that a school can follow to make some positive, long-lasting changes to the health of their entire school.

Six steps to a healthy school 

OPHEA’s Healthy Schools Certification

• A program that recognizes and celebrates school communities for promoting and enhancing the health and well-being of students, school staff and the broader community
• Schools can achieve gold, silver or bronze level certification

Joint Consortium for School Health

• JCSH Healthy School Planner
• Video explaining JCSH Healthy School Planner

Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities: How You Can Make A Difference video

Interested in making some healthy changes at your school? Contact your school’s public health nurse or health promoter for more information and support. 

• Healthy Students are Better Learners
• Examples of Comprehensive Healthy Schools Activities

Related Resources

• Healthy Schools Facilitator's Guide

Related Topics

• Healthy Student Bodies Grants
• How to Implement the Healthy Schools Approach
• What is a Healthy Schools Approach?