About Us
Today, physical inactivity among youth and childhood obesity have reached epidemic proportions in America. Research shows that an astounding 2 out of 3 kids aren’t moving enough. So, Active Schools is on a mission to reverse that trend.
As the national movement to ensure that 60 minutes of physical activity a day is the norm in K-12 schools across the country, Active Schools works on two fronts. We serve as a hub to help schools access best practices, programs, and resources to increase physical education and physical activity opportunities for students. At the same time, we use communication and activation strategies to engage champions, influencers, and decision-makers to help make systems and policy changes that will enable our schools to educate the whole child -- by reimagining school environments to provide opportunities for academic, social, emotional, AND physical learning so that all children have the ability, confidence, and desire to lead active, healthy lives.
Why are Active Schools so important? Because Active Kids Do Better. Physical activity not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also contribute to higher test scores, improved attendance, better behavior in class, enhanced leadership skills and a lifetime of healthy habits.
# of Champions = 37,113
# of Schools Enrolled = 23,223
# of Students Served = 13,569,925
(as of November 16, 2018)
Be an Active Schools Champion
Click “Sign Up” in the upper right-hand corner to get involved and receive our monthly e-newsletter. Champions can be parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, pediatricians, public health professionals, business leaders, community members, and anyone who is passionate about helping kids reach their greatest potential both in school and life.
Our Ambassadors
Shannon Miller
Shannon Miller remains the most decorated Olympic gymnast in American history with seven Olympic medals! She is an advocate for the health and wellness of women and children and a mother of two.
"I joined the quest to encourage schools to put more emphasis on physical education in 2007, and my interest in this area has gone up each year. I am proud to serve as an ambassador for the Active Schools movement to ensure that K-12 schools provide physical education and before, during and after school physical activity each day for a total of at least 60 minutes. For many children, school may be their best opportunity to be physically active and to learn to play a variety of sports. Physical activity is an important part of our children’s physical and mental development, so it’s critical that we make it a priority in the school day."
Chris Lineberry
Chris Lineberry is principal at Stanfield Elementary School in Arizona where he and his staff integrate health and wellness throughout the entire curriculum. Dr. Lineberry is co-author of the book, Recess Was My Favorite Subject…Where Did It Go?, and was honored as 2016-17 Principal of the Year by the Arizona Health and Physical Education association.
"I believe health and wellness are as essential a component of the curriculum as reading and math. As an unfortunate result of recent emphasis on grades and testing, we’ve gotten away from seeing the whole child. But research is on our side; it says healthy, active kids perform better and live longer."
Read about Chris’ commitment to school wellness in the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ September/October 2017 issue of Principal magazine
Also, read about Chris "Putting Kids First" in August 2014 Raising Arizona Kids magazine
Cyrus Weinberger
Cyrus Weinberger is former and founding principal of Red Hawk Elementary School in Erie, Colorado, and is current preparing to open a new PK-8 school in the district in fall 2018. As principal at Red Hawk, Cyrus developed a rigorous academic program coupled with a comprehensive wellness program — which now serves as the model for an online course on classroom physical activity integration, funded by the Colorado Health Foundation.
"Movement and exercise are more than activities at Red Hawk Elementary. They are foundational elements of the school culture. We built physical activity into our plan from day one. Using a rotating daily 'movement calendar,' students gain 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity on a daily basis, in addition to scheduled PE class and recess."
Watch Cyrus’ TED Talk on his All School Movement Program
Also, watch Cyrus present Movement in Schools: My Story of Cultural Change