Community Schools

A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources, where an integrated focus on academics, services, supports, and opportunities leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Community schools are open to everyone—all day, every day, on evening and weekends.

Using public schools as hubs, community schools knit together inventive, enduring relationships among educators, families, volunteers, and community partners—such [Page 307]as health and social service agencies, family support groups, youth development organizations, institutions of higher education, community organizations, business, civic and faith-based groups. Partners agree to share their expertise and resources with school staff to create a more effective learning environment. As a result, schools and communities act in concert to transform traditional schools into permanent partnerships for excellence. Schools are centers of the community. Schools are not left to work alone.

Community schools are open to students, families, and community members before, during, and after school, throughout the year. They have high standards and expectations for students, qualified teachers, and a challenging, engaging curriculum.

Students engage in learning and service activities at a community school, and they have access to an array of personal and social supports. Community schools promote youth development activities and communitybased learning, and offer preventive health and social services, before, during, and after school.

Beforeand after-school programs build on classroom experiences and help students expand their horizons, contribute to their communities, and have fun. Family support centers help with parent involvement, child rearing, employment, housing, and other services. Medical, dental, and mental health services are readily available. Parents and community residents participate in adult education and job training programs, and use the school as a place for community problem solving. Volunteers come to community schools to support young people's academic, interpersonal, and career success.

Community schools use the community as a resource to engage students and help them become problemsolvers in their communities. The school also sees itself as a resource to the community sharing its facilities, equipment, and other assets to support communitybuilding efforts. The concept of the community school is being explored in many nations, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden, France, and others.