25 Georgia Schools Rank Among Healthiest In US: List

ATLANTA, GA – Two dozen schools in Georgia have ranked among "America's Healthiest Schools" by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national organization that empowers kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits, recognized a record 461 schools from 26 states and the District of Columbia as the country's healthiest schools. The schools received Healthier Generation's National Healthy Schools Award at the bronze, silver or gold level, based on the standards they achieved.

The following 25 schools in the state landed on the national list:

• Alexander II Magnet School in Macon — Bronze
• Brookdale Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Burdell-Hunt Magnet Elementary School in Macon —Bronze
• Central High School in Macon — Bronze
• Florence Bernd Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Howard High School in Macon — Bronze
• James H. Porter Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• John H. Heard Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Northeast High School in Macon — Bronze
• Riley Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Rutland High School in Macon — Bronze
• Southwest Magnet High School & Law Academy in Macon — Bronze
• Springdale Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Taylor Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Union Elementary School in Macon — Bronze
• Westside High School in Macon — Bronze
• Stonewall Tell Elementary School in College Park — Bronze
• East Hall Middle School in Gainesville — Bronze
• Flowery Branch Elementary School in Flowery Branch — Bronze
• Lanier Elementary School in Gainesville — Bronze
• Mt. Vernon Exploratory Elementary School in Gainesville — Bronze
• Tadmore Elementary School in Gainesville — Bronze
• Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy in Gainesville — Bronze
• Spout Springs School of Enrichment in Flowery Branch — Gold

Here's what the program said about its work in Georgia schools:

"In Georgia, you can experience plenty of Southern charm, balmy weather and a bustling metropolis in Atlanta. But one thing about Georgia that is not so peachy is that the state has the tenth highest childhood obesity rate – more than 1 in 3 children is overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.

"More than 1,200 schools serving over 959,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 140 Georgia schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.

"Healthier Generation enlists the help of regional and local partners to create healthier schools. (They) guide schools to improve physical activity and nutrition policies and practices. Across the state, we’ve also made it easier for more than 11,500 youth in 94 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more."

These schools earned the distinction by meeting the following criteria:

• Meet or exceed federal nutrition standards for school meals and snacks
• Offer breakfast daily
• Implement district wellness policies and update progress annually
• Provide students with at least 60 minutes of physical education per week and ensure physical activity throughout the school day

Congratulations to all the schools!

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