Gold Medal Schools

Overview

A well-rounded education includes nurturing a student's physical health, fitness, and nutrition. The Gold Medal Schools (GMS) program provides rural Utah elementary schools with essential resources, funding, and support to bring Utah Core Standards for Health and Physical Education to life—helping students build habits that support lifelong health.

Core Pillars

The Gold Medal Schools framework focuses on three essential pillars designed to create supportive, active, and healthy school environments:

Physical Activity

Integrate regular, active movement into the daily school routine. Participating schools work toward embedding 20 minutes of daily active recess and 150 minutes of weekly physical education into their schedules.

Fitness Assessment

Utilize evidence-based toolkits—including the Presidential Fitness Assessment—to help students set personal goals, measure their progress, and develop foundational motor and athletic skills in physical education.

Nutrition Education

Deliver evidence-based nutrition instruction aligned with Utah Core Standards. Schools promote healthy eating habits, helping students make nutritious choices within their daily environment.

Program Impact & Goals

The Gold Medal Schools initiative provides direct sub-grant funding to eligible rural schools across 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th class counties.