From a book that will be reviewed in the International Journal of Healing and Caring - On line, September, 2007:

Several scholars have identified various categories of spiritual need. Clinebell proposed four fundamental spiritual needs, which people have whether they are aware of them or not:

The need for a meaningful philosophy of life and a challenging object of self-investment, the need for a sense of the numinous and transcendent, the need for a deep experience of trustful relatedness to God, other people, and nature; and the need to fulfill the “image of God” within oneself by developing one’s truest humanity through creativity, awareness, and inward freedom.

In simpler language, humans all need:
1. meaning and purpose
2. to transcend self
3. healthy relationships
4. to be true to self

Clinebell, H.J., Jr. Basic Types of Pastoral Counseling. Nashville, TN: Abington 1966, p. 251. in: Taylor, Elizabeth Johnson. What Do I Say? Talking with Patients about Spirituality. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Foundation Press 2007, p. 41.

 
WHEE MD Observations

The separation of Church and State is in many cases a wise and even necessary precaution - to prevent the abusive imposition of teachers' views upon students. However, this comes with the price of leaving many students - whose homes do not provide spiritual education, guidance or inspiration - without the support, development and nurturance of their personal spiritual awareness.