This book addresses the school as a worksite for faculty, staff, and administrators; as a learning site for students; and as an important site for creating a healthy, productive environment. Born out of a commitment to health education as an essential strategy for maintaining public health, this book contends that the physical condition of the school; its psychological and social climate; and its efforts to protect, promote, and improve health become important components of the daily lives of students and staff. Chapter 1 discusses the importance of healthy school environments. Chapter 2 examines the health status of both students and staff and considers deaths and illnesses, chronic conditions, diet and exercise patterns, poverty, and changing family structures as they affect student health. Chapter 3 presents the total environment concept, which takes the view that the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of an organization are interdependent and interactive. Chapter 4 focuses on partnerships for change, calling for school and community leadership to develop a comprehensive school health program. Chapter 5 looks at schoolsite health promotion programs and chapter 6 suggests ways of taking action to improve the school environment. Chapter 7 illustrates the application of principles presented in earlier chapters within the context of current conditions of education and provides examples of success stories. The appendixes provide lists of options for change and steps toward health promotion program development, a strategic plan outline, and a list of 40 resources. Contains 77 references. (NB)