Howard County Schools Nationally Recognized for Nutrition, Physical Education

Howard County public schools—including those in North Laurel—have received national distinction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for “outstanding practices in school nutrition programs, physical education and physical activity,” according to the district.

Howard County is the only school system in Maryland to earn this distinction for each of its schools and is one of four Maryland school systems honored, district officials said.

The award is sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and is called the HealthierUS School Challenge. Howard County won the bronze level of distinction, district officials said.

The national certification initiative is voluntary, district officials said, and is for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.