The mission of Coordinated School Health is to improve the health of students and their capacity to learn. The physical, social and emotional health of students can support or hinder their academic success and their prospects for a productive and healthy life. State and national data reveal that many Tennessee students engage in unhealthy behaviors that are detrimental to both their health and academic success.

Additionally, data indicates that school environments may not be as supportive as they could be of students' health. Yet, in spite of these and other challenges, Tennessee schools can have a powerful influence on improving students' well-being and readiness to learn.

The CDC's Coordinated School Health (CSH) model is a systematic approach that ensures that a school community effectively links health with educational success. Although these components are listed separately, it is their composite that allows CSH to have significant impact. CSH is implemented in a way that fits the unique needs and resources of each school community.