San Diego Unified to Launch Student Wellness Index This Week

UPDATE: The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) will unveil a groundbreaking Student Wellness Index at its upcoming Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. This urgent initiative aims to address student wellness comprehensively, targeting chronic absenteeism and enhancing educational outcomes.

Officials confirmed that the index is being developed in collaboration with San Diego State University and the San Diego County Office of Education. The tool will leverage various data points to assess student wellness, addressing physical, mental, and emotional health—factors that are crucial for academic success.

In a statement, SDUSD Superintendent Fabi Bagula emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“Students doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally are better equipped to excel in the classroom, but if they are facing challenges, a student’s ability to learn suffers.”

Bagula added that the district is committed to minimizing these challenges by providing essential supports to students.

The framework for the Student Wellness Index is expected to be finalized in the coming months, with a pilot program set to launch. Schools participating in the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program—including those in the Canyon Hills, Mira Mesa, Mission Bay, Morse, and San Diego clusters—will help establish a baseline of data by May 2026.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SDUSD has prioritized student wellness, significantly increasing on-site social, emotional, and mental health services. The district anticipates that its chronic absenteeism rate will decrease by 2.7% as a result of these initiatives. Additionally, student sentiments about belonging and relationships with teachers have shown improvement, also by 2.7%.

This innovative approach marks a significant step toward creating a supportive educational environment. As the district prepares to implement the Student Wellness Index, stakeholders are urged to stay informed about its developments and the positive impacts expected on student wellbeing.

Stay tuned for updates as the SDUSD moves forward with this critical initiative, promising to reshape the educational landscape for students in San Diego.