Gateway Michael Elementary School in St. Louis has a garden bed, staff workout facilities, rock walls that students use during physical education classes and smoothie bikes that students pedal, generating energy to create fresh fruit smoothies for students and staff. 

As a result, the school was recently selected as one of American’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an organization that helps children develop lifelong healthy habits.  The school received the organization’s Gold-Level designation, one of only six schools in the nation to receive Gold status.  

Also, receiving a Gold-Level designation was Belcher Elementary School and John M. Sexton Elementary School, two schools in Florida’s Pinellas County Schools.

All recognized schools met or exceeded federal nutrition standards for school meals and snacks, offer breakfast daily, implement district wellness policies and provide at least 60 minutes of physical education a week and ensure physical activity throughout the school day.

Healthier Generation’s annual recognition program has honored schools for achievements in nutrition, physical activity and wellness policies for nearly 15 years.