Federation for Community Schools

A community school…

*…is the heart of the community.

*…complements the regular school day curriculum with before- and after-school time programming for students.

*…prepares the whole child – not just the academic child – for success in life by providing programs and services that address the mental, physical, and emotional health of students.

*…maintains a culture of shared responsibility for the success of students, families, and the community.

*…provides adults with access to the educational programs that meet their needs and allow them to best support their children’s academic success.

*…perceives the parents, community members, and area organizations as necessary partners in the process of preparing children for success in life.

Community schools are built on FOUNDATION elements. The foundation elements are the common practices that drive highest-quality community school development and transformation. The foundation elements are:

*Shared leadership – lead partners, parents, schools, and other community stakeholders share decision making for ongoing community school development and all stakeholders take shared responsibility for outcomes.

*Integrated learning – out-of-school time activities link to but do not replicate classroom learning, enrichment opportunities deepen learning and help make school more engaging and relevant for students.

*Shared vision – all of the community stakeholders work together to develop and work towards an agreed-upon set of outcomes which define their vision for student and family success.

*Collaboration – community school staff, administration, stakeholders, and partners integrate their resources in pursuit of their shared vision. Through synergy the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

*Partnerships – community schools build mutually beneficial partnerships with community-based organizations, families, and community members.

*Leveraged resources – community schools leverage existing investments in communities by bringing community-based resources, programs and supports into the school, and making them more accessible and available to students, families, and community members.

*Broader opportunities – by maximizing out of school time, bringing community resources into the school and inviting meaningful community engagement opportunities, children and families have access to opportunities that would have otherwise been unavailable.

*Data-driven decision making – community schools use regular and consistent assessment and program evaluation to shape programs, make changes to offerings, and measure progress toward identifiedoutcomes.

Community schools identify and coordinate resources to meet student, family, and community member needs. Community schools organize programs, supports, and resources along the community school PILLARS. These pillars are:

*Academics – to enhance a strong curriculum, out-of-school time programs link to classroom learning by giving students an opportunity to master or build on the school-day. Arts and recreation programs provide enrichment and deepen student learning and engagement; community schools promote life-long learning by providing learning and enrichment programs for adults.

*Health – community schools provide physical and mental health and wellness programs, resources, and services ranging from organized physical education classes, sports, recreation and nutrition programs to school-based health clinics.

*Family – opportunities for adult education and skill-building, opportunities for meaningful parent involvement and engagement, parent and family leadership development, opportunities for families to lead.

*Community – community schools act as hubs of their communities, provide resources and supports for community members, meaningful community engagement, bring community assets into the school.

The Federation for Community Schools, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 1740, Chicago, IL60606 PH312.629.4990