Research into the physical inactivity pandemic underscores the importance of a system-wide approach to promoting and increasing physical activity behavior at the population level. Similarly, evidence from school-based studies has led to recommendations for comprehensive approaches to youth physical activity promotion that cull all available resources before, during and after school to support the physical activity needs of children and adolescents. The familiar adage in reference to this evidence base is “it takes a village to get a child to be physically active.” But what does it take to bring a village together and build the school wide support essential to ensuring each student meets physical activity guidelines and benefits from quality physical education? In this keynote address, Dr. Webster will discuss research he has led over the past decade to address this question. The focus will be on lessons learned from investigating the factors that influence the support from teachers, school principals and parents in the context of whole school physical activity programming.