AUSTIN, October 31, 2023 – Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association, announced America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2022-23 school year. 13 Central Texas schools earned the designation that honors schools for their achievements in advancing the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of students, staff, and families.
Schools are recognized for implementing best practices in up to nine topic areas, based on criteria in Healthier Generation’s Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment. IDEA Health Professions Academy in Austin and IDEA Pflugerville College Prep led the way with best practices in seven areas.
The 2022-23 Central Texas Healthiest Schools are:
- IDEA Bluff Springs Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 3 topic areas
- IDEA Bluff Springs College Prep | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 3 topic areas
- IDEA Health Professions Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 7 topic areas
- IDEA Health Professions College Prep | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 5 topic areas
- IDEA Montopolis Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 3 topic areas
- IDEA Montopolis College Prep | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 1 topic area
- IDEA Rundberg Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 2 topic areas
- IDEA Rundberg College Prep | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Austin, TX | 2 topic areas
- IDEA Kyle Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Kyle, TX | 5 topic areas
- IDEA Kyle College Prep | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Kyle, TX | 4 topic areas
- IDEA Pflugerville Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Pflugerville, TX | 6 topic areas
- IDEA Pflugerville College Prep | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Pflugerville, TX | 7 topic areas
- IDEA Round Rock Tech Academy | IDEA Public Schools Austin | Round Rock, TX | 2 topic areas
The program is supported by Harmony SEL at National University, Kaiser Permanente, and Kohl’s. This year’s national list was the greatest number of awardees since the program’s inception with 781 schools across 36 states.
Healthier Generation created the America’s Healthiest Schools recognition program to promote health equity by promoting policies and practices that address historic and ongoing systemic inequities, especially for Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) and youth from under-resourced communities. Among this year’s America’s Healthiest Schools, more than 75% of the awardees are Title I schools, and more than half serve a majority BIPOC students.
On Oct. 13 and 14, Healthier Generation gathered school representatives in Washington, D.C. for the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit to honor awardees and this year’s Corporate Hero, Kohl’s, for prioritizing the whole health needs of staff and students. More than 450 teachers, administrators, and thought leaders in health, including CEO of the American Heart Association Nancy Brown, came together to network, share best practices, and recognize the achievements of these distinguished schools.
Visit HealthierGeneration.org/HealthiestSchools to view the complete list of 2023’s America’s Healthiest Schools.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Megan Taylor: 512-639-4366; megan.jameson@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
