Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC)

Making the Connection Between Learning and Health Taking a Whole Child Approach

In education we strive for students to reach their highest academic potential. In order to achieve this, students need not only to be challenged academically, but also need to be healthy, safe, engaged and supported. Each student enters a classroom with unique needs related to learning, health (physical, social, and emotional wellbeing), safety and support. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model uses an integrated, collaborative approach to address barriers and supports related to learning and health.

The Colorado Department of Education supports statewide infrastructure and systems to promote a whole child approach supported through policy, surveillance and partnerships. Healthy schools are managed through an interagency partnership between the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Whole Child Tenets Supports encourage schools and districts to support:

• Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
• Each student learns in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.
• Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.
• Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
• Each student is challenged academically and prepared for success in college or further study and for employment and participation in a global environment.