School Health and Wellness
Comprehensive school health and wellness incorporates physical activity, nutrition, and obesity prevention — all addressed through a variety of measures. These measures include school educational planning, such as supporting curricula and instruction for students in pre-K through grade 12 that will address a variety of important health topics.
Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Healthy Schools Mini-Grant Program
FY 2026: The Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) program is pleased to announce that it has awarded mini-grants to 11 early childcare education (ECE) centers under the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Initiative. The purpose of the Healthy Schools mini-grant program is to support Delaware schools and ECE centers implementing pilot healthy lifestyles programming and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies to build healthy school environments and encourage healthy lifestyles among Delaware youth. Read about the great work that our 2026 AHL school-based partners are engaging in!
CACC Montessori
CACC Montessori’s “How Does Our Garden Grow” program creates a sustainable, hands-on outdoor classroom where children from infancy to age six develop healthy habits and physical skills through gardening, nutrition education, and active exploration of the natural world.
Children's Laughter Early Learning Academy, LLC
Children’s Laughter Early Learning Academy empowers young children and their families to build lifelong healthy habits by promoting nutritious eating, increasing physical activity, and supporting routines that improve overall well-being.
Georgette Minnick
Georgette Minnick’s program combines structured physical activities and unstructured play to help children develop imagination, creativity, physical strength, and healthy habits through age-appropriate games, cooperative exercises, and daily movement routines.
Lake Forest preschool Programs
Lake Forest preschool Programs foster lifelong healthy habits by teaching nutrition, hydration, and movement through engaging classroom activities, hands-on educator resources, and weekly family involvement, highlighted by their four-month Healthy Me, Healthy Choices program for preschoolers.
M.H. Rollins Child Development Center at Children’s Beach House
M.H. Rollins Child Development Center at Children’s Beach House promotes healthy lifestyles for young children through a curriculum featuring Soccer Shots and R.O.O.T.S. yoga sessions, and organizes wellness events that encourage physical activity, nutritious eating, and overall well-being.
Pequenas Manitas Early Learning Center LLC
Pequenas Manitas Early Learning Center LLC fosters lifelong healthy habits in young children and their families through weekly interactive workshops focused on nutrition, physical activity, and emotional well-being, with bilingual resources and monthly family days to support diverse communities.
Pooh’s Place
Pooh’s Place fosters healthy lifestyle habits among preschoolers and their families by combining age-appropriate physical activities, engaging nutrition lessons, and interactive family wellness events that encourage balanced eating, active living, and strong home-school connections.
Rivers of Learning Academy
Rivers of Learning Academy helps children and families adopt healthier lifestyles by promoting nutritious eating and regular physical activity through evidence-based strategies. The center offers educational resources, weekly activity sessions, and a community garden to engage families in hands-on learning and strengthen their connection to healthy living.
Shell’s Early Learning Centers (Camden, Harrington and Dover)
Shell’s Early Learning Centers in Camden, Harrington and Dover Shell’s Early Learning Centers in Camden, Harrington, and Dover promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits by teaching children about the food pyramid and nutrition through hands-on gardening, weekly snack preparation with fresh harvests, and engaging families in wellness practices with “Garden Days,” recipe cards, and take-home activities.
FY 2025: The Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) program is pleased to announce that it has awarded 3 mini-grants to K-12 schools and 6 mini-grants to early childcare education (ECE) centers under the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Initiative. The purpose of the Healthy Schools mini-grant program is to support Delaware schools and ECE centers implementing pilot healthy lifestyles programming and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies to build healthy school environments and encourage healthy lifestyles among Delaware youth. Read about the great work that our 2025 AHL school-based partners are engaging in!
School AHL Mini-Grants:
Sussex Consortium - Cape Henlopen School District
Provides tricycles and develops an engaging curriculum for students ranging from Pre-K to 22 years old, focusing on physical health, developmental skills, and inclusivity.
Serviam Girls Academy
Retains a PE/Health teacher, increases physical activity through dance and fitness activities, improves lunch options with healthier food, and restarts an urban garden program.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
Introduces students to yoga, purchases yoga supplies and safe cleaning solutions, and covers membership fees for a school-based yoga training platform.
ECE AHL Mini-Grants:
Ollies Imagination Station
Expands the garden section of the outdoor classroom by adding a greenhouse and larger raised garden beds to promote healthy lifestyles and provide healthy food options.
Rivers of Learning Academy
Empowers children and their families to achieve healthier lifestyles through weekly physical activity sessions, a community garden, and educational resources.
Children First Learning Center
Creates an interactive, educational garden classroom that promotes physical activity, healthy eating, environmental awareness, and hands-on learning.
Lighthouse on the Shore
Raises awareness among families about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and provides actionable ways to achieve these goals through extracurricular activities, healthy eating habits, and physical activity programs.
Vision Learning Center
Establishes a community garden that provides hands-on learning experiences in growing fresh fruits and vegetables, promoting healthier eating habits, physical activity, and environmental stewardship.
Children’s House Montessori
Improves above-ground gardens, engages a professional nutrition expert, and introduces a structured exercise program to promote nutrition, sustainability, and healthy eating habits.
Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Healthy Schools Recognition Program
To improve health and wellness of school-age students in Delaware, AHL has launched a Healthy Schools Recognition Program, which aims to recognize schools in Delaware who are implementing policy, systems, and environmental change strategies and programs to improve the health and wellbeing of their students, with a focus on improved nutrition and increased physical activity among students.
All schools in Delaware are eligible to submit for recognition. The submission period for the 2025-2026 recognition program is now open! To submit for a Healthy Schools award for the 2025-2026 school year, complete the submission form here. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted through March 31, 2026.
This previously recorded webinar offers an overview of the Healthy Schools Recognition Program, including eligibility requirements and the submission process. View the webinar for more information on how to get your school recognized!
2025 Pioneer Award Winners
- Allen Frear Elementary School
- Booker T. Washington Elementary School
- Charter School of Wilmington
- Postlethwait Middle School
- Sanford School
- Serviam Girls Academy
- W.B. Simpson Elementary School
- Woodbridge Elementary School
- Star Hill Elementary School
Assistance or Questions
Interested schools should contact one of the Healthy Schools coaches for further assistance or with any questions: