July 23, 2025—During the 2024–2025 school year, more than 13,000 students in Cobb County actively participated in Kids Heart Challenge, fostering sustained mental and physical wellbeing while raising over $970,000 to support the American Heart Association, a global force dedicated to building longer, healthier lives for all. Among over 4,000 school districts nationwide, Cobb Schools has been honored as the nation’s top-performing district for the fourth consecutive year!
The Kids Heart Challenge™ offers a variety of physical activities to get elementary students’ hearts pumping, such as dance, basketball, or jumping rope, paired with digital missions to learn lifesaving skills like Hands-Only CPR™. The program has more than 40 years of proven success rooted in scientific research. Kids who are regularly active feel better, improve their mental health, build self-esteem, and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.
"The Kids Heart Challenge ignites a passion for wellness and empowers our students to embrace healthy lifestyles in exciting and meaningful ways," said Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. "By combining this passion with a heartfelt commitment to raising funds for children with special hearts, our students are learning the true power of compassion and leadership. We’re incredibly proud to be four-time National Champions, continuing to inspire positive change, and advance the life-saving mission of the American Heart Association."
Since joining the challenge more than four decades ago, Cobb Schools has raised millions to advance the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking research, community outreach, and public health education.
"Cobb County's unwavering dedication to Kids Heart Challenge is a shining example of how communities can come together to create lasting change," said Dr. Angelica Geter, founder and CEO of Impactful Collaboration, LLC, and Southeast Region board member. "By empowering students to embrace heart health and become champions for wellness, they are building a healthier, stronger future for us all."
The educational curriculum and physical activities included in the Kids Heart Challenge program help meet the heart health needs of today’s youth and educators. The program, a successful part of thousands of schools from coast to coast, targets improving whole-body wellness, which is vital to driving immediate and long-term health in children.
Great job, Cobb! Thank you to all students and families who participated to extend our national titles to four-in-a-row! You are all heart champions, and we look forward to breaking the Superintendent's goal of raising more than $1 million in 2025-26!
