Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC)

Education, public health, and school health sectors have increasingly advocated for stronger partnerships, integration, and collaboration among educational and health leaders. The aim is to enhance the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of every child. These sectors often serve the same children in shared environments, making alignment essential. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model centers on the child, uniting the common objectives of both sectors to implement a comprehensive approach to education that prioritizes the whole child.

What Is the WSCC Model?

The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model is a framework created by the CDC to address health in school settings. This student-focused model highlights the importance of community support for schools, the link between health and academic success, and the implementation of evidence-based policies and practices in schools. The WSCC model is built around ten key components:

• Physical education and physical activity
• Nutrition environment and services
• Health education
• Social and emotional climate
• Physical environment
• Health services
• Counseling, psychological, and social services
• Employee wellness
• Community involvement
• Family engagement

How Does the WSCC Model Enhance Learning and Health?

The WSCC model emphasizes the critical role of both psychosocial and physical environments in student development, as well as the increasing influence of community organizations and families on children's health and behaviors. It promotes active student participation in both their education and health management. The CDC and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) collaborated with leaders from health, education, public health, and school health sectors to create the WSCC framework. The goal is to foster a unified, cooperative approach that boosts both learning and health outcomes in schools nationwide.

How Can Schools Apply the WSCC Model?

Encouraging healthy behaviors during childhood is more effective and efficient than addressing unhealthy habits later in life. Schools play a pivotal role in fostering the health and safety of young people while helping them develop lifelong healthy practices. Since each school has its own unique requirements, administrators and staff can adapt the WSCC model components to suit their specific needs and better serve their student populations.

What Roles Do Families and Community Organizations Play in the WSCC Approach?

Family and community engagement is vital to supporting student learning, health, and development. By involving families in meaningful ways, schools can enable parents and guardians to reinforce healthy behaviors across various environments, including the home, school, and community. Schools can also collaborate with community organizations to provide essential resources for students' health and education. In turn, students and their families contribute to their communities through activities like service-learning projects and the shared use of school facilities, such as health centers and fitness areas, for broader community benefit.