School physicals, made simple.

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Every fall, thousands of Illinois kids get held up at school registration for one reason: a missing physical. Here's what schools actually need, and how to get it free, close to home.

School health day

What schools ask for

Illinois schools require a health exam when your child first starts school, and again in sixth grade and ninth grade. Kids also need to be up to date on their vaccines. Some grades ask for dental or eye exams too, and your school will tell you which ones apply.

If your child plays sports, most teams also need a sports physical every year.

What happens at the visit

A school physical is a friendly, complete checkup. A doctor or nurse checks your child's height, weight, heart, lungs, vision, and hearing, reviews their vaccines, and asks a few questions about health history. Then they sign the school's form. The whole thing usually takes about 20 minutes.

It's also a real checkup, not just paperwork. Half of Illinois children on Medicaid won't see a doctor this year, so for many kids, the school physical is the visit where small problems get caught early.

How to get one free

• At a Prism event. Our children's health team does school and sports physicals at health fairs, libraries, and community events all summer, free and with no appointment needed. Find an event near you.
• At school. We partner with schools across the region for school health days. Ask your school office if a Prism visit is scheduled.

What to bring

Nothing is required, but if you have them, bring your child's shot records and the form your school sent home. Our clinicians complete the Illinois school forms on the spot, and you'll leave with a record of the visit for your child's regular doctor.

One visit. No missed workday. A kid who's ready for school.