What is a Community School?鈥�
A Community School is any school serving pre-Kindergarten through high school students using a 鈥渨hole-child鈥� approach, with 鈥渁n integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement." As a school improvement strategy, community school initiatives enable the local educational agency (LEA) and school to work closely with educators, students, and families to understand and address the unique needs, assets, and aspirations of the school community. 鈥� California Community Schools Partnership Program Framework鈥嬧赌�
鈥�
Pillar One:
Integrated Student Supports鈥� can support student success by meeting their academic, physical, social-emotional, and mental health needs. Statute defines this as including the 鈥渃oordination of trauma-informed health, mental health, and social services.鈥� Effectively supporting students also requires that students be well known so that they can be well served. 鈥�
Pillar Two:
involves actively tapping the expertise and knowledge of family and community members to serve as true partners in supporting and educating students. Statute defines this as including 鈥渉ome visits, home-school collaboration, [and] culturally responsive community partnerships.鈥� Learning opportunities for family members as well as structures and opportunities for shared leadership are other important elements of authentic family engagement.
Pillar Three:
Collaborative Leadership & Practices for educators and administrators鈥� establish a culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility for outcomes in a manner that includes students, families, and community members. Statute defines this as including 鈥減rofessional development to transform school culture and climate that centers on pupil learning and supports mental and behavioral health, trauma-informed care, Social Emotional Learning [and] restorative justice.鈥�
Pillar Four:
Expanded Learning Time & Opportunities鈥� include academic support, enrichment, and real-world learning opportunities (e.g., internships, project-based learning). Statute refers to these opportunities as both 鈥渆xtended learning鈥� and 鈥渆xpanded learning鈥� and defines them as including 鈥渂efore and after school care and summer programs.鈥� Expanded learning opportunities can also include tutoring and other learning supports during school hours.
鈥�
鈥嬧赌�
