[ A Closer Look ]

How community schools work

C

ommunity schools work through the coordination of educators, families and community groups to bring much-needed services into school settings. There is no one singular model for community schools: Each school’s offerings will differ, depending on location and the needs of the community they serve. Below are some examples of community school service offerings. For more information, including real-world examples, visit PublicSchoolsUniteUs.org/CommunitySchools.

Key services provided by community schools

school services icons: food security, family & student supports, health services, and continuing education

Key services provided by community schools

school services icons: food security, family & student supports, health services, and continuing education

FOOD
SECURITY

FAMILY & STUDENT
SUPPORTS

HEALTH
SERVICES

CONTINUING
EDUCATION

Community School Infographic
Continuing Education icon
Continuing Education: Evening classes for families and community members on topics such as ESL, literacy and personal finance.
Continuing Education icon
Professional Development: Expanded professional learning opportunities keep educators informed and enriched.
Family & Student Supports icon
Laundry: Washers and dryers on site can help families in a pinch.
Family & Student Supports icon

Clothes Closets: Clean clothes are available for children and adults.

Family & Student Supports icon
Expanded Hours: Before- and after-school programs give students more access to a safe learning environment and families more flexibility with work schedules.
Health Services icon
Social Services: Expanded mental health services not only for students, but for any family members who may be in need or experiencing a crisis.
Health Services icon
Vision & Hearing Supports: Students have access to vision and hearing screenings and services because they can’t learn if they can’t hear the teacher or see the board.
Health Services icon

On-Site Dental Clinic: On-site dental clinics meet crucial health care needs.

Food Security icon
Access to Local Health Care Providers: School nurses have relationships with and direct access to local doctors and specialists. Some even offer telehealth appointments with doctors during school hours.
Food Security icon

School meals: Full availability of breakfast, lunch and, in some cases, dinner help keep students learning effectively.

Food Security icon
Farmers markets or food vendors: Some community schools host farmers markets that bring vendors from the surrounding communities to provide fresh, nutritious food.
Food Security icon

Food pantries: Available for students and their families, food pantries provide needed supplementary nutritional assistance.

Key Players

Community School Director/Coordinator:
An integral, specially trained staff member who develops partnerships and programs at the heart of community schools.
Educators and Administrators:
The community school model involves all school faculty and staff contributing to the wrap-around service and also provides them with enhanced community and peer support.
Families:
Family engagement is essential to developing programs that meet a community’s specific needs.

Community Partners:
Health care providers, food suppliers, local businesses and emergency workers can have some integration with the school.

Continuing Education icon

Continuing Education: Evening classes for families and community members on topics such as ESL, literacy and personal finance.

Continuing Education icon
Professional Development: Expanded professional learning opportunities keep educators informed and enriched.
Family & Student Supports icon
Laundry: Washers and dryers on site can help families in a pinch.
Family & Student Supports icon

Clothes Closets: Clean clothes are available for children and adults.

Family & Student Supports icon
Expanded Hours: Before- and after-school programs give students more access to a safe learning environment and families more flexibility with work schedules.
Health Services icon
Social Services: Expanded mental health services not only for students, but for any family members who may be in need or experiencing a crisis.
Health Services icon
Vision & Hearing Supports: Students have access to vision and hearing screenings and services because they can’t learn if they can’t hear the teacher or see the board.
Health Services icon

On-Site Dental Clinic: On-site dental clinics meet crucial health care needs.

Food Security icon
Access to Local Health Care Providers: School nurses have relationships with and direct access to local doctors and specialists. Some even offer telehealth appointments with doctors during school hours.
Food Security icon

School meals: Full availability of breakfast, lunch and, in some cases, dinner help keep students learning effectively.

Food Security icon
Farmers markets or food vendors: Some community schools host farmers markets that bring vendors from the surrounding communities to provide fresh, nutritious food.
Food Security icon

Food pantries: Available for students and their families, food pantries provide needed supplementary nutritional assistance.

Key Players

Community School Director/Coordinator:
An integral, specially trained staff member who develops partnerships and programs at the heart of community schools.

Educators and Administrators:
The community school model involves all school faculty and staff contributing to the wrap-around service and also provides them with enhanced community and peer support.

Families:
Family engagement is essential to developing programs that meet a community’s specific needs.

Community Partners:
Health care providers, food suppliers, local businesses and emergency workers can have some integration with the school.

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