Planning for a Healthy School

Learn about the

Foundations for a Healthy School

To create a healthy school, the school community works together to help students, staff and parents make healthier choices that promote student wellness and learning.

Francais

Generally, a healthy school includes all of the following:

Curriculum, teaching and learning
Classroom and school leadership
Student engagement
Social and physical environments
Home, school and community partnerships

Check out Foundations for a Healthy School

Check out Healthy Schools Recognition

Learn more about how to create a healthier school below.

Une école saine est une approche globale qui favorise la collaboration entre l’administration, les enseignants, les parents et les organismes communautaires afin de créer un milieu qui aura une incidence positive sur la santé et l’apprentissage de l’enfant.

Généralement, une école saine comprend tous les éléments suivants:

Curriculum, enseignement et apprentissage
Direction de la classe et de l'école
Engagement des étudiants
Environnements sociaux et physiques
Partenariats maison, école et communauté

Learn how to

Create a Healthy School

To get started, talk to your school principal about becoming a healthier school. For more information on how to create a Healthy School, follow the steps below. Have questions? Contact your assigned Public Health Nurse (if applicable), or email [email protected] to ask for assistance.

Check out the newsletter highlight from Ophea for local school-based initiatives and examples of healthy schools in action here in Hamilton

Healthy Schools 4 Step Process

Form a Healthy School committee
You can form a committee or join an existing one made up of students, staff, parents and community partners. Your committee should meet regularly and work through the steps below to become a healthier school. Together the committee can plan and lead activities to achieve goals and address schools health priorities.
Identify your school’s health priority
Gather ideas and information from students, teachers, other school staff, and parents/caregivers to identify the school’s strengths, needs and interests related to health.

Develop and carry out an action plan
Include students in the development of your action plan. Aim to add evidence-informed activities in these five areas over time:
- Curriculum, teaching and learning
- Classroom and school leadership
- Student engagement
- Social and physical environments
- Home, school and community partnerships
Evaluate and celebrate achievements
Review, evaluate and celebrate your success in creating a healthier school. Communicate with the whole school community as you work through all of the steps and plan your school health activities for the school.

Learn about

Youth Engagement

The youth engagement model uses a strength-based approach, nurtures assets and empowers youth to build skills, confidence and contribute to their communities.

Date modified

August 28, 2026

Hamilton Search