Wellness Schools of Distinction Program

Healthy Students, Healthy Schools: Cultivating Communities of Wellness

The AACPS Wellness Schools of Distinction Award recognizes schools that demonstrate a high priority for the health and well being of students, staff, and school supporters by going beyond the curriculum to produce positive outcomes for the entire school community.

In order to win the prestigious honor, schools must show significant effort in establishing initiatives that address all of the ten components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC).

  • health education

  • physical activity

  • health services

  • nutrition environment and services

  • counseling, psychological, and social services

  • social and emotional climate

  • physical environment

  • employee wellness

  • family engagement

  • community involvement

As an extension of the AACPS Wellness Council and policy, the award is given annually. Schools that have already received the award may reapply every three years.

In support of all schools, the AACPS Wellness Council created a Wellness Toolkit, which provides a plethora of information for schools on how to successfully implement all of the components.

Wellness Schools of Distinction Application

The application window for the 2025 awards will open in spring 2025.

The following documents can be reviewed to gather an understanding of application expectations.

Students, families, and community members are highly encouraged to be involved in the application process. Final submissions must be approved by the school principal. Only online applications submitted via the school system intranet will be accepted.

School Awards