Bronx High School’s Comprehensive Health Education Program Earns National Recognition
Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein congratulated Validus Preparatory Academy after it was awarded the first annual Blue Apple Health Education Award from the American Association for Health Education (AAHE). Validus Prep was one of 10 schools across the nation to win the award, which was created this year to recognize outstanding health education programs. Validus Prep, a 400-student Bronx high school that opened in 2005 as part of the Bloomberg Administration’s new small schools initiative, emphasizes comprehensive health education as a foundation for students’ academic and personal growth. Validus Prep Principal Brady Smith accepted the award on April 4 on behalf of his school at the annual convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) in Tampa, Florida.
Validus Prep offers students a four-year comprehensive health education program that addresses a different dimension of health education at each grade level, culminating in an independent health-related research project senior year.
“We’re proud that a New York City public school is among the first winners of this prestigious award,” Chancellor Klein said. “Given the many health concerns facing our City today, it is crucial that students learn about the importance of staying healthy, and that they acquire the knowledge that helps them make safe choices. I applaud Validus Prep’s commitment to providing comprehensive health education.”
“I am so pleased that this award has been created and that Validus Prep is one of the first schools to be recognized,” Principal Brady Smith said. “I know how challenging it can be to ensure that health education maintains the prominence it deserves—that’s why it is wonderful to be in the company of schools that are committed to raising the bar on health education.”
“Validus Prep demonstrates that high quality, comprehensive health education is not only possible, it is vitally important for student success,” said Lori Rose Benson, the Department of Education’s Director of Fitness and Health Education. “By supporting and promoting health education in every class, Validus Prep is giving students the skills and knowledge to make healthy choices and to take control of their lives.”
All of our Blue Apple Award schools are models for other schools and schools districts to emulate,” said Katherine Wilbur, former president of AAHE and chairperson of the Blue Apple Health Education Awards program. “Validus Prep recognizes the importance of educating students about health and knows that healthy, informed students perform better in the classroom. We applaud Validus Prep’s commitment to health education and healthy students.”
Validus Preparatory Academy is one of nine public schools partnered with New York City Outward Bound, which uses an expeditionary learning model as the basis for teaching and learning. The Validus Prep curriculum is centered on learning expeditions, which are in-depth investigations of compelling topics that integrate the teaching of content, concepts, and skills. More information about the Blue Apple Health Award can be found here.