I need to say that school policy varies among the 50 states. Several national professional organizations publish recommendations with good intentions, but the states each have their own state organizations that set standards to meet local needs. New York for one explains their school health examination program as follows: “Among the purposes are: To make an appropriate assessment of the student’s current health status; To determine the student is free from contagion; and fit to attend and participate in all aspects of the school program; To indicate the need and extent to which the school program should be modified to benefit the student; To communicate to the parent/guardian any findings which require further investigation and treatment; and To provide an opportunity to counsel the student and the parents/guardians concerning: 1. Any health issues or conditions detected. 2. Securing appropriate care and supports in the school environment.” Most students have their own familiar health care provider, many others do not. New York mandates a more comprehensive examination on entry to school and in the K, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 10th years. Currently an informed consent letter is sent to parents recommending their child be examined by their own physician but if they choose the school physical the following excerpt is included: "Although most parents do not attend examinations, you have a right to be present by prior arrangement with your school nurse. Your child will be asked age-appropriate psycho-social questions to assist the physician or nurse practitioner in targeting health risks. You may request a copy of sample questions from the school nurse. Please remember that efforts are made to question children uniformly, but based on children’s responses, the exact list of questions may or may not be addressed, and other follow up questions may be required.
Your child will be asked to disrobe to underclothing: boys will wear socks and underpants; girls will wear socks, underpants, and a loose shirt without a bra or undershirt. While every effort is made to preserve dignity and privacy, most health offices are too small to provide the level of privacy your child may be used to in his/her private provider’s office. Other children of the same sex may be in the changing area. Your child may need to walk small distances partially clothed to get to, from, and around the exam area. The exam includes a complete head-to-toe screening of all major organ systems, INCLUDING:
BREASTS/PUBIC AREA FOR GIRLS,
AND HERNIA/PENIS/TESTICLES/PUBIC AREA FOR BOYS,
AND INGUINAL/GROIN AREA FOR PULSE EXAMINATION FOR BOTH GENDERS.
The examiner will touch your child. There may or may not be an additional person as a chaperon present during the examination.
THIS IS AN INTIMATE EXAM BEST DONE IN YOUR PRIVATE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE BY A PROVIDER YOUR CHILD KNOWS AND TRUSTS."
In addition also requires student athletes to complete annual pre-participation sport physicals. The other states are similar but different. New York state has over 3 million students ages 5 to 17. Their focus is to be helpful to growing children to remain healthy and safe. Mostly children want to know they are "normal" and parents just want them to grow up. I can't comment much about my personal experiences simply because after 50 years my memories are few. Maybe it was successful for me because I really didn't have any serious health issues until after I was 60. Amazingly, following a lifetime of excess and abusing my body, I still have pulse and respiration, for now.