Six Orange County schools were recognized for their dedication to advancing the health of students, staff and families — earning a spot among America’s Healthiest Schools of 2024.
This annual recognition, founded by children’s health organization Alliance for a Healthier Generation, highlights elementary, middle and high schools for improving the well-being of young learners and educators by fostering healthier learning environments.
This year’s list features more than 800 schools across 30 states that were awarded for their efforts. Our county was represented by Fountain Valley High School, Ocean View High School, El Sol Science and Arts Academy of Santa Ana, Esther Walter Elementary School, Mattie Lou Maxwell Elementary School and Magnolia Science Academy-Santa Ana.
Schools can be recognized in nine categories for implementing best practices that prioritize overall physical and mental health. These strategies may result in campuses implementing local school wellness policies, enriching health education and even improving access to food and nutrition.
Since 2016, the Orange County Department of Education has partnered with Alliance for a Healthier Generation to help local districts and schools provide intensive support for students and cultivate staff well-being.
OCDE’s school partners include Fountain Valley High School, which was awarded for bolstering physical education, supporting school health services and cultivating staff well-being. Fountain Valley’s credentialed school nurse Marci McLean-Crawford said this award was made possible because of the team’s commitment to reaching its goals.
“We are all committed to prioritizing the best interests of the students at all times,” said McLean-Crawford. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
In the Magnolia School District, Walter and Maxwell elementary schools were both recognized for increasing engagement with their families and communities by hosting family-focused events throughout the year and supporting the work of parent involvement liaisons.
“The awarded schools believe building strong connections between families and schools is essential to their students’ academic and personal success,” said district Coordinator Andrea Houser. “Both schools have implemented a variety of practices to make this vision a reality.”
Four awards were also given to Magnolia Science Academy-Santa Ana for expanding physical education and activity while strengthening students’ social and emotional health among other schoolwide efforts.
“It has been our pleasure to be part of the team that provides support to schools and districts,” said Kathleen Satterley, program specialist at OCDE. “These newly awarded schools have shown tremendous dedication to their communities and are recognized nationally, inspiring a sense of pride for our whole county and shining a spotlight on the impact, and potential, of improving whole child health practices.”
For a full list of the recognized schools, visit the America’s Healthiest Schools webpage. Orange County schools interested in getting involved with the America’s Healthiest Schools program can learn more by checking out the online awards guide.
For more information on OCDE’s support of staff well-being and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, contact OCDE program specialist Kathleen Satterley at ksatterley@ocde.us.