About Thriving Schools

Thriving Schools brings together Kaiser Permanente’s extensive health care expertise and our partnerships with nationally recognized and trusted organizations working to support schools in becoming a beacon of health in their community.

Our Approach

We take an integrated approach to healthy schools, curating the best thinking and guidance to address physical, social, and mental health needs so we can improve the health-related drivers of attendance for teachers, staff, and students.

We support schools and districts in improving policies and practices across interconnected topics that align with educational priorities, such as reducing chronic absenteeism and cultivating staff well-being. Our Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment is key to this approach, providing actionable steps and credible resources to advance school health improvements.

As a not-for-profit, health care provider whose mission is focused on ensuring access to high-quality health care for individuals and communities, we’re committed to serving as a valuable partner in health to schools and districts across the country, helping to ensure that teachers, staff, and students have the support they need to thrive — in learning and in health.

Why school health?

Schools play a central role in our communities and in our lives. Not only do they provide vital settings for learning and development, but they also serve as community anchors for social interaction, emotional support, and access to food, physical activity, and health care.

Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools recognizes the centrality of schools as a center point for health in communities. Inspired by the CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child framework for addressing health in schools, Thriving Schools works to build greater integration and alignment among the education and health care sectors to support the total health of the school community.

School health equity

Like the communities in which they sit, schools often reflect a diversity of cultures, beliefs, and experiences. As such, the services and opportunities they provide must ensure that all students and staff are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Thriving Schools’ integrated approach explicitly addresses equity and inclusion, both in the questions posed by our assessment tools and in the resources we offer for school staff and district leaders. Together with our partners, we provide these resources at no cost to schools and districts around the country. This ensures that, regardless of their ability to pay, schools have access to high-quality resources and support to address the health concerns that influence their core business of teaching and learning.