In large, urban school districts, few programs currently exist that support students' physical and mental wellness. In fall 2014, one large, urban school district piloted a health and wellness program in ten elementary schools. Accompanying this program, a three-year research study was designed to learn if students experience changes in their physical and mental wellness as well as their academic performance as a result of continuous participation in health and wellness. In the formative component of the study's first year, researchers focused on the program's implementation through a qualitative design using data gathered from district and school personnel as well as students. This paper presents findings from the first year of this three-year study.