What is Coordinated School Health

A coordinated approach to school health improves students’ health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, schools, and communities working together. As described in the Health Framework for California Public Schools, coordinated school health is a schoolwide approach and commitment that supports and integrates eight components. These components work together to develop and reinforce health-related knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors and make health an important priority at school. The components are linked in a mutually supportive, cooperative system focusing on children's health issues and the development of health literacy. No single component will achieve the level of health students need to support academic achievement. A coordinated approach to school health improves students' health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, schools, and communities working together. Following are the eight components of coordinated school health and links to related programs, information, and materials.