Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) announced that five of its schools have been recognized by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation as 2025 America’s Healthiest Schools.
According to PWCS, Buckland Mills, Minnieville, Piney Branch, and Victory Elementary Schools, along with Unity Braxton Middle School, received national recognition for their comprehensive efforts to support student and staff wellness. This year, 1,120 schools across 34 states and Washington, D.C., were named America’s Healthiest Schools. Among these, 11 are in Virginia, with five from PWCS. The distinction highlights schools that demonstrate consistent and exceptional initiatives to address the physical, social, and emotional health of their communities.
The five PWCS schools were recognized in multiple wellness categories for their comprehensive health initiatives. Buckland Mills Elementary earned recognition for school health services, social-emotional learning, staff well-being, and family and community engagement. Minnieville Elementary was honored for school health services, physical education, social-emotional learning, and staff well-being. Piney Branch Elementary received awards in school health services, nutrition, health education, tobacco-free initiatives, staff well-being, and family engagement. Victory Elementary was recognized for school health services, local wellness policy, nutrition, physical education, health education, staff well-being, and family engagement. Unity Braxton Middle School achieved recognition across all nine categories.
“Schools play a crucial role in positively shaping the health and well-being of our nation’s youth,” said Healthier Generation Chief Executive Officer Kathy Higgins. “The dedication of school leaders, educators, and staff to support the physical, emotional, and academic needs of their students is nothing short of extraordinary.”
PWCS is the second largest school division in Virginia and the 32nd largest in the nation. It serves over 90,000 students across elementary through high school levels as well as preschool and specialty programs. The division offers academic specialty programs including two Governor’s Schools; dual enrollment; Advanced Placement; Cambridge Programme; International Baccalaureate courses; career and technology certifications; robotics; and instruction in ten world languages. It emphasizes sustainability and family engagement with support for 174 languages while partnering with businesses and community organizations. Led by Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade , PWCS reports a 94.3% on-time graduation rate with over $123 million in scholarships awarded to the class of 2024.
