Research shows a correlation between positive health behaviors and increased student achievement. ₁ 

Adequate nutrition increases the brain's ability to learn. ₁ 

Physical activity increases learning and academic achievement. ₂ 

Substance use and abuse decreases learning and increases classroom management problems. ₃

Pregnant teens have lower academic achievement and economic productivity. ₄

Emotional literacy programs improve children's academic achievement scores and school performance. ₅

Positive health behaviors help youth avoid barriers to learning such as drug use. ₆

A healthy school environment is one that is safe and communicates caring for youth.  This type of environment promotes learning.  Positive sense of community affects behavior norms and is more predictive than: drop out rate, average daily attendance, parent ratio on PTA, proportion of college-bound students. ₇

"Research shows that schools with a systematic, coordinated, and integrated approach to student health have fewer incidences of behavioral problems, improved school attendance rates, enhanced interpersonal relationships, and
higher student achievement." ₈