IDEA is excited to announce that 120 schools across our Texas and Tampa Bay regions are among the top schools nationwide to earn a spot on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation 2022 list of “America’s Healthiest Schools” for their commitment to promoting quality nutrition, regular physical activity, and strong wellness policies. 

Schools were recognized across the following regions: IDEA Austin, IDEA El Paso, IDEA Greater Houston, IDEA Rio Grande Valley, IDEA Permian Basin, IDEA Tarrant County, IDEA San Antonio, and IDEA Tampa Bay.

IDEA Pflugerville earned an All-Star rating by meeting all 9 categories of achievement that name a school one of the healthiest in the nation.  

Each school met at least four of the following categories: 

• Ensuring Family & Community Engagement 
• Nutrition & Food Access 
• Local School Wellness Policy 
• Health Education 
• Physical Education & Activity 
• Social Emotional Health  
• Staff Well-Being 
• Tobacco-Free Schools 
• School Health Services 

This distinction is a major accomplishment thanks to IDEA’s Healthy Kids Here program. Launched in 2014, Healthy Kids Here is an initiative aimed at making IDEA one of the healthiest school districts in America with three main areas of focus including food, fitness, and instilling healthy habits for the future. 

With an emphasis on helping students gain a strong foundation of healthy habits, Healthy Kids Here provides students with healthy meals and snacks each day, five campus farm programs that keep schools supplied with delicious, locally grown, organic produce, physical fitness programs to keep scholars healthy and strong, while educating students and families about the importance of proper hygiene and healthy living. 

Health Aides lead the Healthy Kids Here work on each campus, partnering with the Child Nutrition Program and PE coaches throughout the year to deliver health programming and education.  

For nearly 16 years, Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s annual recognition program has honored schools that are implementing best practices that support children’s learning and development, including meeting or exceeding federal standards for nutritious school meals and providing regular opportunities for students and staff to be active throughout the school day. It remains one of the country’s longest-running, nationwide recognition programs honoring schools for achievements in nutrition, physical activity, and wellness policies. 

As members of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, IDEA works to implement wellness policies and practices that meet federal requirements and support a comprehensive approach to kids’ health. Any school can join the program to access trainings, resources, and technical assistance by visiting HealthierGeneration.org.