What to Expect at Your Child’s School Physical

What to Expect at Your Child’s School Physical

What to Expect at Your Child’s School Physical

Key Takeaways:

  • School physicals ensure your child is healthy, safe, and ready for school activities and sports, while helping detect potential health issues early.
  • Younger kids focus on growth and immunizations, while older kids focus on sports readiness and adolescent health.
  • DOC-AID Urgent Care offers thorough, stress-free school physicals, plus ongoing health management and additional medical services in one location

Before your child heads back to class or starts a new sports season, you might be asked to bring them in for a school physical. This isn’t just another item on the to-do list. It’s a valuable checkup that helps make sure your child is healthy, ready for school activities, and able to participate safely in sports or physical education. It’s also an opportunity to catch any potential health concerns early, when they’re easier to manage.

What’s Usually Included in a School Physical

1. Health History Review

The visit often begins with a conversation about your child’s health background. Your provider will ask about:

  • Past surgeries or hospital stays
  • Old or recurring injuries
  • Chronic or past illnesses like asthma, allergies, or diabetes
  • Family history of serious illnesses
  • Any medications your child currently takes
  • Symptoms during school physical activity, such as dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath

Answering these questions honestly is important for your child’s safety at school or in sports. If your child is old enough, involve them in filling out the form so they learn about their health history.

2. Physical Examination

Next, your provider will check your child’s overall health, which usually includes:

  • Measuring height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure
  • Vision and hearing checks
  • Examining the heart, lungs, skin, abdomen, nose, mouth, teeth, and throat
  • Screening for conditions like scoliosis or hernias
  • Checking developmental progress compared to age
  • Assessing motor skills, coordination, and reflexes

These exams make sure your child is healthy and prepared for school and any activities they’ll be participating in.

3. Laboratory Tests (When Needed)

Not every school physical includes lab work, but your provider may recommend it if your child has symptoms or ongoing health conditions. Possible tests may include:

  • Complete blood count (CBC) to look at overall blood health
  • Chemistry panel to check the liver, kidneys, and other organ functions
  • Thyroid function tests
  • Diabetes screening

4. Immunizations

A school physical is also an excellent opportunity to check that your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Most states require certain shots before a child can attend school. In Texas, for example, children entering kindergarten need proof of specific immunizations. Schools typically require documentation within 30 days of enrollment.

What to Expect at Different Ages

Preschool & Elementary School

At these stages, the focus is on ensuring healthy growth, development, and up-to-date vaccinations.

Middle & High School

In addition to growth checks, doctors will look closely at your child’s readiness for sports and discuss the changes that come with adolescence. This can be a good time for your child to ask health-related questions they may feel shy bringing up elsewhere.

Making the Most of Your Child’s School Physical

Think of the school physical as more than a requirement—it’s also a chance for your child to build a relationship with their healthcare provider, ask questions, and get personalized health advice. Bringing a list of any concerns, changes you’ve noticed, or questions you’ve had can make the visit even more helpful.

At DOC-AID Urgent Care, we pride ourselves on providing friendly, thorough, and stress-free school physicals for children of all ages. Led by Dr. Monica Saenz, MD, our team ensures every exam is done with care and attention to detail. We also help you manage ongoing health conditions, provide diagnostic testing, offer wellness checkups, and perform minor procedures, all in one convenient place.

Let’s work together to make sure your child starts the school year happy, healthy, and ready to succeed.

Author

  • Dr. Monica Saenz, M.D. in white lab coat and blue shirt

    Dr. Saenz is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, and is board-certified in Emergency Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2003, where she graduated at the top of her class and became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Before obtaining her medical degree, Dr. Saenz worked as a registered nurse for over seven years. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with Honors from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Saenz is married and has three children. She enjoys traveling, fishing, running, and mentoring young students. In addition, she and her staff are fluent in Spanish.

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By Dr. Monica Saenz, MD

Dr. Saenz is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, and is board-certified in Emergency Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2003, where she graduated at the top of her class and became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Before obtaining her medical degree, Dr. Saenz worked as a registered nurse for over seven years. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with Honors from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Saenz is married and has three children. She enjoys traveling, fishing, running, and mentoring young students. In addition, she and her staff are fluent in Spanish.