The Whole Child approach is one that promotes the long-term development and success of all children. 

This widely researched and proven approach supports students, educators, families, and community partners as they move from a vision about educating the whole child to sustainable, collaborative policies and actions.

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) The Whole Child Framework™  - 

ASCD's approach transitions from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long-term development and success of all children. Through this framework, ASCD supports educators, families, community members, and policymakers as they move from a vision about educating the whole child to sustainable, collaborative actions. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

The CDC uses the framework for addresses health in schools. The education, public health, and school health sectors have each called for greater alignment that includes integration and collaboration between education leaders and health sectors to improve each child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. Public health and education serve the same children, often in the same settings. The Whole School Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model focuses on the child to align the common goals of both sectors to put into action a whole child approach to education. Learn more by visiting CDC - Healthy Schools 

The New Jersey Department of Education 

The NJDOE recognizes Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community  as a coordinated school health model. The Centers for Disease Control and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum (ASCD) developed the WSCC model—in collaboration with key leaders from the fields of health, public health, education, and school health—to strengthen a unified and collaborative approach designed to improve learning and health in our nation’s schools. For more information, visit NJDOE - Keeping our students safe, healthy, and in school. 

The Five Tenets 

Healthy-Safe-Challenged-Supported-Engaged

Learn more about each of the five tenets of the Whole Child approach by clicking on each below.