School-Based Health Centers: Meeting Students Where They are

Across Washington, school-based health centers (SBHCs) provide essential services at over 70 schools, many operated by community health centers (CHCs). As of 2025, CHCs provide care to 19,186 patients at school-based service sites.

A school-based health center is a student-focused health center located in or adjacent to a school. Here, students can receive integrated medical, behavioral, and other healthcare services. These centers meet young people where they are, providing convenient care and preventive services that generate lifelong health benefits.

School-based health centers are community-driven and shaped by the feedback of each unique school and district. Some of the services school-based health centers offer include:

• Annual well-child check-ups

• Treatment of common injuries and illnesses (allergies, rashes, sore throat, etc.)

• Sports physicals

• Immunizations and vaccinations, including flu shots

• Dental services

• Mental health counseling

• Chronic condition management

School-based health centers help students and their families in other ways, too. By providing services right on campus, students miss less classroom time, and parents don’t need to take time off from work for appointments. Offering health care services where students spend a lot of their time provides them with better access to care, including mental health services. Having care on campus also allows for increased coordination with other student support services offered by the school.

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