Community Schools and Applied Developmental Research

The Community School Model

A community school is a public school that combines high-quality education with a wide range of health and social services to ensure that children are physically, emotionally, and socially prepared to learn (Children's Aid Society, 2003). A wide range of approaches can be adapted to fit into a community school model. Although frequently referred to as “full-service schools” or “extended-services schools,” in reality, these two titles are used to describe two subsets of the community school model. Although community schools vary in their organization and approach, they share a core set of principles and goals. That is, a community school is both a set of partnerships and a place that offers a wide range of health and human services in an effort to ensure that children are developing successfully academically, as well as physically, emotionally, and socially (Coalition for Community Schools, 2003).

Community schools are open to students, families, and the community in the early morning and late evening hours, on weekends, and during the summer. The school is operated cooperatively through a partnership between the school system and one or more community agencies. Working together in collaborative partnerships, families, students, teachers, and community members help design and implement activities that promote academic achievement.

...