Robust evidence suggesting a strong association between greater educational attainment, better health and lower mortality, has led to speculation that the quality of schooling can also have effects on health. This review critically summarises findings from 15 studies in a growing area of research concerning the effects of school quality on health. Findings suggested positive, long-term benefits of high-quality pre-school. Other findings suggested that higher teacher wages, lower pupil-teacher ratios, a longer school year, and higher college selectivity had mostly positive long-term effects on health and mortality. Several studies found that school quality modified the effect of years of completed education on various health outcomes. Some measures of school quality including smaller class size in relation to mortality, and higher college selectivity in the case of smoking were not consistently related to better health. While studies varied in their consistency and significance, the weight of the evidence together, suggests that some health inequalities over the life course were explained partly by differences in school quality. This may be related to improved cognition, occupational characteristics, and the incomes of those exposed to better quality schooling. Direct health knowledge and behaviour may also play a role.