Initiative Description: Students and parents from 3 schools (1 high school, 1 middle school, and 1 elementary school) completed in-person surveys on School Based Health Center usage, satisfaction with SBHC usage, and school connectedness. School databases provided information on participant demographic variables, grades, and attendance. SBHC users have higher levels of school connectedness (school bonding, attachment, and commitment to educational future) as compared to non-users, which in turn is significantly related to attendance, GPA, and grade promotion.

Study Results: SBHC users in the middle and high schools had GPAs that were 2.5 points higher than those for nonusers. The difference was statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant difference in the percentage of students promoted to the next grade level.

Reference: Strolin-Goltzman, J., Sisselman, A., Melekis, K., & Auerbach, C. (2014). Understanding the Relationship between School-Based Health Center Use, School Connection, and Academic Performance. Health & Social Work,39(2), 83-91. doi:10.1093/hsw/hlu018

Level of Evidence: Good