Building Capacity for the Continuous Improvement of Health-Promoting Schools

ABSTRACT Background: There has been much educational verbosity over the past decade related to building capacity for effective schools. However, there seems to be a scarcity of clarification about what is meant by school capacity building or how to accomplish and sustain this process. This article describes the preexisting conditions and ongoing processes in Pueblo, Colorado School District 60 (Pueblo 60) that built capacity for the development and continuous improvement of health‐promoting schools. Methods: Capacity building strategies and a program‐planning model for continuous improvement for health‐promoting schools were used that included: (a) visionary/effective leadership and management structures, (b) extensive internal and external supports, (c) development and allocation of adequate resources, (d) supportive policies and procedures, and (e) ongoing, embedded professional development. Results: Pueblo 60 strategically developed an infrastructure through which they successfully delivered a wide array of health programs and services. Conclusions: Through building organizational capacity at the school district and school level, additional school health programming can be developed and sustained.