Woodbridge School, More In Prince William County Ranked Among America's Healthiest

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Minnieville Elementary School in Woodbridge and other Prince William County schools have been named among the healthiest in the U.S.

The America's Healthiest Schools ranking by Alliance for a Healthier Generation in August recognized 1,120 schools in 34 states and the District of Columbia for implementing evidence-based policies to support child health. That's an increase from 879 schools in 30 states in last year's ranking. Schools could apply to be recognized in nine categories: school health services, local school wellness policy, nutrition and food access, physical education and activity, health education, social-emotional health and learning, tobacco-free schools, staff well-being, and family and community engagement.

Of the 1,120 recognized schools, 168 earned all-star distinction by meeting criteria in all nine categories, up from 66 schools last year.

"Schools play a crucial role in positively shaping the health and well-being of our nation's youth, and they deserve national recognition for their outstanding efforts," said Kathy Higgins, CEO of Healthier Generation. "The dedication of school leaders, educators, and staff to support the physical, emotional, and academic needs of their students is nothing short of extraordinary."

Prince William County Public Schools had a number of schools on the list — Buckland Mills Elementary School in Gainesville, Minnieville Elementary School in Woodbridge, Piney Branch Elementary School in Bristow, Unity Braxton Middle School in Manassas and Victory Elementary School in Bristow. Unity Braxton Middle School was an all-star school in all nine categories.

Minnieville Elementary School was recognized for school health services, physical education and activity, social-emotional health and learning, and staff well-being.

Buckland Mills Elementary School was recognized for school health services, social-emotional health and learning, staff well-being, and family and community engagement.

Piney Branch Elementary School was recognized for school health services, nutrition and food access, health education, tobacco-free schools, staff well-being, and family and community engagement.

Victory Elementary School was recognized for school health services, local school wellness policy, nutrition and food access, physical education and activity, health education, staff well-being, and family and community engagement.

The only other Northern Virginia school in the ranking was Vienna's Our Lady of Good Counsel School, which is part of the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools. Other ranked Virginia schools were Stuarts Draft Elementary School in Augusta County, Falling Creek Elementary School in Chesterfield County, and Christiansburg Middle School, Montgomery Central and Prices Fork Elementary School in Montgomery County.

Since the America's Healthiest Schools ranking began in 2007, Alliance for a Healthier Generation has recognized 3,347 schools. The number of recognized schools has nearly tripled since the organization introduced its topic-based model for evaluating healthy schools in 2022.