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Taking a different approach to school, supported by a needs and asset assessment process where all stakeholders’ voices are heard, and initiatives are created to support the needs of all students.
What is a Community School?
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- Community Schools are more than just centers of education—they are the heart of the community.
- Community Schools center around the unique neighborhood needs and families they serve to allow students to focus on their education and future success.
- Community Schools are networks of support, opportunities and relationships where the school is the hub for the whole community serving to strengthen students, families and neighborhoods through purposeful and results-focused partnerships.
No two Community Schools are exactly alike, but all share a similar model with proven outcomes.
Community School Pillars
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Pillar 1 - Integrated Student Supports
Pillar 2 - Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities
Pillar 3 - Active Family and Community Engagement
Pillar 4 - Collaborative Leadership and Practice
Nation Wide Community Schools Successes
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- Reduced achievement gaps
- Increased graduation rates
- Improved attendance
- Reduced discipline referrals
- Increased family and community engagement
- Decreased student mobility
- Improved support coordination
Evidence-Based Strategies
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Curriculum, Teaching, Wrap-Around Services, Restorative Practices, Engagement, and Leadership
Programs
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Based on a school’s needs assessment, some of the programs may include:
- Health and wellness services
- On-site food pantries
- Leadership opportunities
- Cultural enrichment activities
- After-school activities
- Parent Resource Centers
The Listening Project
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Each Community School and the families we serve have unique needs. In order to determine what programs are most needed and the resources available, we conduct The Listening Project during the school year.
We engage staff, students, parents and community partners and listening through surveys, focus groups, forums and interviews. Each school will form a strategic plan, based on feedback from The Listening Project.
Each school has a Community Schools team, led by a resource teacher, to carry out the assessments and build relationship to help move the school/community forward.
We begin rolling out programs throughout this process as possible. Full implementation for our Community Schools initiative take several years.