Canada’s Comprehensive School Health Framework is an internationally recognized framework that focuses on a whole-school approach for student academic achievement and health. This framework recognizes four interconnected areas that support addressing school health in a comprehensive and holistic way: teaching and learning, social and physical environment, policy, and partnerships and services (Bassett-Gunter et al., 2015).
Using Comprehensive School Health as the guiding framework for the Healthy Schools Recognition Program, schools are encouraged to connect initiatives and activities to the four key areas that support a whole-school, and whole-community, approach for a Healthy School. Planning activities relating to these four areas will help schools, school boards/districts/ authorities, parent(s)/caregiver(s), and community partners (including public health) work together to take a comprehensive approach to address health priorities in their school community. By addressing the four Comprehensive School Health areas, schools can support long-term change in their communities and improve the well-being of their students and staff.
The Healthy Schools Recognition Program encourages schools to plan and run activities in the four key areas in alignment with the Comprehensive School Health Framework:
- Teaching & Learning: Empower students to explore and apply health knowledge through relevant learning experiences embedded in the curriculum.
- Social & Physical Environment: Create a welcoming, inclusive school environment by strengthening student relationships and shaping physical spaces that support everyone’s well-being.
- Policy: Align and promote school health policy (or policies) connected to your school’s health priorities and involve students in shaping, understanding, and promoting policies that support health and well-being.
- Partnerships & Services: Enhance partnerships and services with school and community partners and engage students in building meaningful connections with families, community organizations, and service providers to support the health and well-being of the school community.
Register for the Healthy Schools Recognition Program to access additional information and materials that can support connecting your school’s initiatives to the Comprehensive School Health areas.
