Texas Border Business
Since 2014, McAllen ISD has been a national leader in gearing its students toward healthy living and wellness habits.
The 2019 list of America’s Healthiest Schools includes 14 from McAllen ISD. Only 355 schools nationwide are on the list compiled by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (AHG). In addition, McAllen ISD’s seven Silver Level schools are the most from a single school district nationwide, according to AHG data. AHG gives awards on a Gold, Silver and Bronze level.
The recognition runs on a two-year cycle. Therefore, with the schools on the list from last year included, McAllen ISD has all 30 of its eligible campuses listed among America’s Healthiest.
“Our schools that applied for the AHG awards last year were all successful,” McAllen ISD Health & PE Coordinator Mario Reyna said. “Therefore – for six consecutive years, our district can say we have 100 percent of our schools on ‘America’s Healthiest Schools’ list.”
The 14 schools on this year’s list include:
- Fields Elementary Silver
- Gonzalez Elementary Bronze
- Milam Elementary Silver
- Perez Elementary Silver
- Roosevelt Elementary Silver
- Sam Houston Elementary Silver
- Thigpen-Zavala Elementary Silver
- Wilson Elementary Bronze
- Morris Middle School Silver
- Achieve Early College High School Bronze
- Lamar Academy Bronze
- McAllen High School Bronze
- Memorial High School Bronze
- Rowe High School Bronze
In addition to the help from PE Coaches, the district’s Child Nutrition Services has contributed by serving healthy meals to students. McAllen ISD students receive free breakfast and lunch each school day. In fact, McAllen ISD Child Nutrition served as a presenter on an AHG national webinar last year.
These schools are creating healthy learning environments where students are eating better and moving more, the AHG wrote on its website.
