The start of the 2025-2026 school year has brought a renewed focus on student wellness, with schools and families across the country embracing creative approaches to support the mental, physical, and emotional health of children. From pet-friendly college campuses in Florida to innovative K-12 schools in Ohio, and from expert advice for parents to the importance of school attendance and physicals, a common thread runs through it all: a healthy, supported student is more likely to thrive.
On the sun-soaked campus of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, it’s not unusual for students to know more about each other’s pets than their classmates. “When I’m walking my dog, I often hear, ‘Oh my god, hi, Zuko!’ It’s like I’m not even there,” said Sophie Nocera, an Eckerd senior, describing her life with her Border collie, Zuko, according to The Dispatch. For Nocera and many others, having a pet on campus is more than a quirky perk—it’s a vital source of comfort and connection.
Eckerd’s pet-friendly dorm policy has been in place since 1973, making it a pioneer in this space. Students can bring family pets to live with them after their first semester, provided the animals have been part of their home life for at least six months and are neither venomous nor aggressive. The benefits are tangible: pets help reduce stress, anxiety, and homesickness, and they foster a sense of community. According to Jack Layden, assistant dean for residential life and student engagement, the college has hosted an astonishing variety of animals, from rabbits and ferrets to bearded dragons, turtles, and even a tarantula.
Other institutions, like the University of Northern Colorado, have adopted similar policies with their own twists. There, students in three residence halls can have a dog or cat that’s at least six months old and weighs no more than 40 pounds. This fall, the university expects the highest number of registered pets since the policy began over a decade ago. “One of the markers of adulthood is, ‘Can I not just take care of myself, but can I take care of another living being?’ That’s an important part of this,” Jediah Cummins, executive director of housing, told The Dispatch.
For students like Molly Cheer, a senior nursing major at Northern Colorado, the pet policy was a deciding factor in choosing the school. “Whenever I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I pick him up and cuddle him, and he just deals with it for as long as I need it,” she said of her cat Louie. The policy isn’t without boundaries: pet fees vary by school and type of animal, liability insurance is sometimes required, and pets must be healthy, vaccinated, and restrained in public spaces. Eckerd even celebrates pets at graduation, allowing them to cross the commencement stage with their owners. “Having pets obviously isn’t for everyone, and that is totally OK,” said Nocera. “But for the people that it is a good fit for, it is so worth it.”
While colleges are getting creative, K-12 schools are also reimagining what it means to support the whole child. The Greater Dayton School in Ohio stands out for its integrated approach to health care and education. There, students don’t need to leave the building for a medical appointment—they simply walk down the hall to see a doctor, dentist, or therapist. This model has yielded impressive results. Since opening three years ago, the school has ensured 100% of its students receive well-child and dental visits, and unmet mental health needs have plummeted from 56% to just 10%, according to Midwest Newsroom.
“Our kids make academic gains at twice the national average in terms of reading and math, regardless of income level,” said Ryan Ernst, who leads nonprofit initiatives at The Connor Group, the real estate firm that launched the school. The secret? Universal mental health screening, embedded therapists, and a daily dose of high-intensity fitness—thirty minutes that Ernst likens to “Orange Theory for kids.” The school also asks families to agree to strict guidelines, such as limiting social media use. Parents must provide proof of what apps their children use if they own a smartphone, and all students are expected to stay off social platforms. “It’s kind of a dental thing we always talk about when it comes to mental health: how do you provide fluoride in the water?” Ernst explained. “That’s what these policies are—protections kids don’t even realize are helping them.”
This fall, with backing from the Delta Dental Foundation, the school is opening a full-service dental suite with three chairs and X-ray equipment. A dentist will be on-site twice a week to provide cleanings, exams, and procedures. The school, which currently serves 200 students, plans to double in size and open a second campus in Cincinnati by 2028. The wellness model even extends to younger siblings and, eventually, alumni. “Everything is predicated on this idea of what kinds of adults are we producing,” Ernst said. “If you can start that process at infancy, your chances of creating healthy and happy adults just go up.”
For parents preparing their children for the new school year, mental and emotional readiness is just as important as school supplies. Stacey Orr Smith, an educational consultant, offered practical advice in Milwaukee Courier: “Create a realistic plan that prioritizes essential tasks while allowing for flexibility,” she urged, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead, delegating responsibilities, and setting boundaries between work and home life. Parents were reminded to practice self-compassion during the busy back-to-school season and to seek support if stress becomes overwhelming.
Smith also highlighted the need to address back-to-school anxiety by keeping open lines of communication. She encouraged parents to ask open-ended questions, respond attentively, and use a nonjudgmental tone. Monitoring for subtle changes in children’s behavior—like headaches, stomach issues, tearfulness, abnormal isolation, or changes in appetite and sleep—can help catch distress early. “If you notice any of these changes in your child that cannot be explained by a medical condition, seek help from a mental health professional,” Smith advised. Perhaps most importantly, she urged parents to find a balance between offering support and encouraging independence, allowing children to learn from failure and build confidence for the future.
Finally, the basics still matter. As Midwest Newsroom pointed out, attendance is crucial for children to grow and thrive in school. A healthy child who is well prepared for the year will have fewer absences, and school physicals remain a requirement for kindergarteners and periodically throughout the school years. These foundational steps, while sometimes overlooked, are key to ensuring every child’s “new story” unfolds with promise.
From therapy dogs and dental suites to supportive parents and vigilant teachers, the 2025-2026 school year is shaping up to be one where student wellness is front and center. The efforts may differ by age and institution, but the goal is the same: to give every student the tools, support, and care they need to succeed—inside and outside the classroom.
