Does My Child Need a Back to School Exam? | Connecticut Children's

This article was originally published in August of 2022 and has been updated August 11, 2025 to reflect current times.

From the early pre-K years to senior year, school is about so much more than pens, books and friendships. Your child should also have a clean bill of health before starting a new year of learning.

Connecticut Children’s pediatrician, Dr. Abraham Khorasani, breaks down why children need a back-to-school exam and what parents can expect.

Why does my child need a back-to-school exam?

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends a yearly check-up (also called a “well visit”) for children 2 to 18 years old to check in on growth and development and address any health issues or concerns you may have about your child. Being up to date on regular well visits and required vaccines are the key to staying in good health and preventing illness, and back-to-school is a great time to schedule these visits, as many extracurricular and sports programs require it. Check with your child’s program director for more details if you’re unsure.

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When should I schedule my child’s back-to-school exam?

An ideal time to schedule your child’s check-up is at or before the beginning of the school year, to ensure that they are up-to-date on their required vaccines and have all necessary paperwork for the new school year and sports season. But we know life gets busy—so it’s never really too early or too late. This can also be a busy time of year for your child’s pediatrician, so it’s a good idea to schedule your child’s check-up in advance.

What can I expect at my child’s annual physical?

Lots of important things like:

Checking height, weight, blood pressure and more
Screening for hearing and vision issues
Ordering or performing screenings tests at certain ages, such as for anemia or high cholesterol
Making sure your child meets all motor, social and verbal milestones
Addressing any physical, emotional or behavioral concerns that have come up, especially during the puberty years
Reviewing your child's vaccine records and providing all recommended immunizations

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Remind me again: what’s the typical well-visit and vaccine schedule, by age?

In general, school-age children should have a well visit once a year, but it’s always best to check with your pediatrician because schedules can change based on guidelines from both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC. Additionally, your pediatrician may want to see your child more often to follow up on any ongoing medical, behavioral or emotional concerns. Here are the basics:

Well visits from birth through adolescence: This resource from the AAP is very helpful because it contains a schedule of screenings and assessments recommended at each visit.
Recommended vaccination schedules for infants and children: Staying up-to-date on your child’s vaccinations is the single most effective way to protect them from several types of preventable infections which can cause serious illness and long-term complications - including measles, which is increasingly causing outbreaks across the country in areas with even slight decreases in vaccination rates.
- This guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics has easy-to-understand vaccine schedules by age group. These immunization schedules have been developed with both safety and effectiveness in mind, with different ones given at specific ages. It is safe for COVID-19 vaccines, flu vaccines and other routine vaccines to be given on the same day. Always check with your pediatrician if you have questions or concerns.

Is there anything else I should know or keep in mind?

You know your child best. Never be afraid to speak up, and encourage your child to speak up for themselves if they’re able. And remember, your pediatrician is your ally!