Student success is built on a foundation of physical and emotional well-being. At Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), a dedicated team of school nurses works to ensure every student has the opportunity they need to thrive. As we approach a new year, we're reviewing data to see how the role nurses play in our school has evolved from "bandages and ice packs" to a critical engine of accessibility and attendance.
A Healthier Student Body: By the Numbers
The first semester of the 2025-2026 school year has seen unprecedented levels of direct medical intervention. The district’s commitment to "meeting students where they are" has resulted in significant community health wins:
Preventive Screenings: Nurses conducted more than 32,000 vision screenings and 16,000 hearing screenings, identifying sensory barriers to learning before they led to academic struggles.
Dental and Vision Access: In partnership with the Adarsh Foundation and local dental providers, the district supported 157 dental clinics and 14 on-site vision clinics. This resulted in more than 5,000 dental sealants and hundreds of new pairs of glasses for students who might otherwise have gone without.
Disease Prevention: Since July, the team administered nearly 2,700 immunizations. Perhaps most impressively, 44 JCPS schools have now reached the 95% MMR compliance threshold required for herd immunity—nearly double the number of schools that met this mark at the start of the year.
Keeping Classrooms Open and Safe
The school nurse's role also includes public safety. This semester, staff managed more than 133,000 office visits for sick care and chronic condition management. By providing high-level care for conditions like asthma, diabetes, and seizures, nurses prevent unnecessary student dismissals and keep children in their seats.
Safety also means rapid response. With the implementation of a new emergency medication protocol, nursing staff administered 63 doses of stock albuterol and two doses of life-saving epinephrine this semester, preventing numerous emergency room transports and ensuring immediate stabilization in school.
Building a Sustainable Future
As the District heads into 2026, the focus remains clear: health is not a separate entity from education; it is the catalyst for education. Through the expertise of the JCPS healthcare heroes, students aren't just staying healthy; they are staying in school and ready to succeed.
