23 SC schools among healthiest in US, health organization says. Is your child’s school listed?

Encouraging healthier lifestyles at some South Carolina schools has paid off.

South Carolina has 23 schools recently named as America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2021-2022 school year. They are among the 406 schools nationwide awarded the recognition by Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national children’s health organization.

Of the South Carolina schools recognized, nine were in Richland One facilities.

“We’re honored that nine of our schools have received this national recognition for their dedication to supporting the well-being of students and staff and remaining steadfast in their commitment to fostering environments where all members of the school community can succeed,” Richland One Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said in a press release.

According to Healthier Generation, the award program recognized schools for implementing best practices in up to nine categories, including:

• Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented in collaboration with Harmony SEL at National University and Kaiser Permanente
• Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented in collaboration with Harmony SEL at National University and Kaiser Permanente
• Increasing Family and Community Engagement, presented in collaboration with Kohl’s
• Improving Nutrition and Food Access
• Implementing Local School Wellness Policy
• Bolstering Physical Education and Activity
• Enriching Health Education
• Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools
• Supporting School Health Services

“As we enter what is predicted to be another challenging school year, we commend the awardees for their resourcefulness and dedication to addressing the acute health and well-being needs of students, staff and families,” Kathy Higgins, CEO of Healthier Generation, said in the press release. “This cohort of schools exemplifies the fortitude required to serve current and future generations with empathy and care.”

Here are the 23 South Carolina schools recognized by Healthier Generation.

1. A.C. Flora High School: Columbia
2. Battery Creek High School: Beaufort
3. Beechwood Middle School: Lexington
4. Blacksburg High School: Blacksburg
5. Brockman Elementary School: Columbia
6. Cottageville Elementary School: Cottageville
7. Crayton Middle School: Columbia
8. Devon Forest Elementary School: Goose Creek
9. Dreher High School: Columbia
10. Gadsden Elementary School: Gadsden
11. Hyatt Park Elementary School: Columbia
12. James F. Reames Center: Florence
13. Lower Richland High School: Hopkins
14. Lugoff Elementary School: Lugoff
15. Midway Elementary School: Cassatt
16. Midway Elementary School: Lexington
17. Olympia Learning Center: Columbia
18. Orange Grove Charter School: Charleston
19. Pine Grove Elementary School: Columbia
20. R.P. Dawkins Middle School: Moore
21. Riverview Charter School: Beaufort
22. Tamassee-Salem Elementary School: Tamassee
23. Woodland Heights Elementary School: Spartanburg

Patrick McCreless

The State

803-771-8353

Patrick McCreless is the Southeast service journalism editor for McClatchy, who leads and edits a team of six reporters in South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. The team writes about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.