Total Health: Choices for a Winning Lifestyle (High School)

Total Health: Choices for a Winning Lifestyle by Susan Boe is one of the most widely used health education textbooks in the homeschool community. Designed for high school students, this comprehensive curriculum covers every major health topic that teens need to understand as they prepare for independent adulthood, all presented from a Christian worldview that emphasizes the body as a purposeful creation.

The textbook is organized into units covering human anatomy and body systems, nutrition and dietary choices, physical fitness and exercise, mental and emotional health, relationships and communication, substance abuse prevention, disease prevention and personal hygiene, consumer health, and safety and first aid. Each chapter includes clear explanations, real-world examples, review questions, and practical application activities.

What sets Total Health apart from generic health textbooks is its integration of biblical principles without sacrificing scientific accuracy. Students learn about the biological processes of their bodies while also exploring the ethical and moral dimensions of health choices. Topics like abstinence, media literacy, and peer pressure are addressed with sensitivity and depth appropriate for teenagers.

For homeschool families, Total Health works as a standalone semester or year-long health course. The companion test and quiz book (sold separately) provides formal assessments that make grading straightforward. Many families use this as their high school health credit, which is required in most states for graduation.

The writing style is engaging and direct, avoiding the dry clinical tone of many health textbooks. Susan Boe draws on years of teaching experience to present material in a way that resonates with teenagers rather than talking down to them. Discussion questions throughout encourage family conversations about important health topics.

Whether used as a primary health curriculum or as a supplement to a broader wellness program, Total Health provides a thorough, values-based education that prepares teens to make informed health decisions for life.