Two Permian Basin IDEA schools receive distinction for most healthy schools in the nation

Sep. 5—Alliance for a Healthier Generation has named two schools within IDEA Public Schools in the Permian Basin as part of America's Healthiest Schools for 2024. This annual recognition honors schools for implementing best practices to support the health of students, staff, and families. Eight hundred and seventy-nine schools across 30 states were awarded this year.

IDEA Permian Basin schools to receive rankings on the 2024 national list include:

— IDEA Yukon Academy and College Preparatory

America's Healthiest Schools is Alliance for a Healthier Generation's annual recognition program that celebrates schools for implementing policies and practices to promote health and well-being. Schools on this list have excelled in one or more of the nine key areas outlined by Healthier Generation's Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment. This award celebrates their outstanding accomplishments in:

— Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented by Kaiser Permanente

— Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented by Kaiser Permanente

— Increasing Family & Community Engagement, presented by Kohl's

— Improving Nutrition & Food Access, presented by Del Monte Foods

— Implementing Local School Wellness Policy

— Bolstering Physical Education & Activity

— Enriching Health Education

— Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools

— Supporting School Health Services

"At IDEA, our mission is to support students' academic success while addressing their physical and mental health needs," Eva Rodriguez, VP of Student Health and Wellness for IDEA, said in a news release. "We achieve this by offering health services, nutritious meals, opportunities for physical activity, and education on making healthy life choices. This recognition from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation highlights the outstanding collaborative efforts on our campuses and the impact of our Healthy Kids Here program."

This distinction is a major accomplishment thanks to IDEA's Healthy Kids Here program. Celebrating its 10th year in operation, Healthy Kids Here is an initiative aimed at making IDEA one of the healthiest school districts in America. The three main areas of focus include food, fitness, and instilling healthy habits for the future. The program provides students with healthy meals, ample time for physical education and activity during the school day, and robust health services to keep scholars healthy.

For more information on IDEA and Healthy Kids Here, please visit www.ideapublicschools.org.

To view the complete list of awardees, visit HealthierGeneration.org/HealthiestSchools.