4 Loudoun Schools Receive Healthy Kids Grants For Mental, Physical Health

ASHBURN, VA — Four Loudoun County schools are among 11 Northern Virginia recipients of a grant for programs to boost students' nutrition, physical activity or mental health.

The 10 schools and one educational foundation collectively received $19,130 in Healthy Kids Grants from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, a charity seeking to improve equity in the region.

The grants are in response to concerns about declining physical and mental health among youth. The foundation's own Shape of Youth Mental Health report in 2023 showed how mental health concerns are increasing among teens.

The Loudoun County recipients are Briar Woods High School, Cool Spring Elementary School, Smarts Middle School and Stone Bridge High School.

Briar Woods High School's $2,000 grant will support mental health awareness and help students build resiliency and increase protective factors. Similarly, Stone Bridge High School's $2,000 grant will help about 1,650 high school students better identify and cope with feelings and stressors.

Cool Spring Elementary School's $2,000 grant will go toward a fitness program using functional fitness and yoga equipment for the 5 C's — contributor, collaborator, critical thinker, communicator and creator.

Lastly, Smarts Middle School's $1,380 grant will go toward a "Zen Den," a sensory environment with dim lighting, calming sounds or music and comfortable seating to focus on mental health.

Other recipients include Bonnie Brae Elementary School and Cedar Lane School in Fairfax County; Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School in Alexandria; the Falls Church Education Foundation supporting Falls Church City Public Schools; Jefferson Middle School and Washington-Lee High School in Arlington; and Woodbridge Senior High School in Prince William County.

The grants were provided through the foundation’s Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia, a permanent endowment responding to needs around the region. Over 14 years, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has provided more than $200,000 in Healthy Kids Grants.