LEXINGTON, Ky. — Seventeen Fayette County Public Schools campuses have been named to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's 2026 list of America's Healthiest Schools, a significant increase from eight schools honored in the previous year, according to district officials.

The annual recognition program highlights schools nationwide that demonstrate commitment to fostering healthy environments for students, staff and families. This year's national list includes nearly 1,400 schools, with 142 awardees from Kentucky.

"I am super excited. Last year, we had eight schools and this year 17!" said Angela Stark, a healthy schools specialist in FCPS.

Deep Springs Elementary and Leestown Middle School earned recognition in five categories each, while Sandersville Elementary received kudos in four areas. The awards recognize best practices in nine areas including physical education and activity, social-emotional health, family and community engagement, school health services, staff well-being, health education, tobacco-free policies, school wellness policy, and nutrition and food access.

Among the recognized FCPS schools are Athens-Chilesburg Elementary, Clays Mill Elementary, Garrett Morgan Elementary, James Lane Allen Elementary, Millcreek Elementary, Picadome Elementary, Russell Cave Elementary, Squires Elementary, Williams Well Brown Elementary, Beaumont Middle, Jessie Clark Middle, Mary Britton Middle, SCAPA at Bluegrass, and Tates Creek High School.

The recognition comes as schools across the district continue investing in student and staff health initiatives. Schools can access free resources and assessment tools through Healthier Generation's Action Center to help build healthier policies and practices throughout the school year.