5 MD Schools Rank Among Healthiest In US: List

MARYLAND – Five schools in Maryland 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 five schools in the state landed on the national list:

• Empowerment Academy 262 in Baltimore — Bronze
• Arrowhead Elementary School in Upper Marlboro — Bronze
• High Bridge Elementary School in Bowie — Bronze
• Chesapeake Public Charter School in Lexington Park — Bronze
• Afya Public Charter Middle School in Baltimore — Silver

Here's what the program said about Maryland schools:

"One attribute the state would not like to be known for is its high rate of childhood obesity: nearly 1 in 3 children in Maryland is overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems. ... In Maryland, we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits. More than 770 schools serving over 476,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 72 Maryland schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts."

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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