Promoting an Active School Culture: Tools, Resources, and Recognition

Within a whole-of-school approach to student wellness, comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAPs) offer opportunities for physical activity before, during, and after the school day. However, to successfully influence behavior and fully reap the physical, cognitive, and psychological benefits of an active lifestyle, schools must strive to embed a culture of physical activity into the fabric of the school community. The national Active Schools movement, established to provide schools with the necessary tools to ensure that all children in the United States have the opportunity to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity each day, has developed a framework for an active school culture that includes nine essential elements. This article introduces the framework and describes the open-source tools and resources offered through Active Schools to promote school-based physical activity, including foundational guidance documents, assessment tools, professional development opportunities, and a school recognition system.