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California Community School Partnership Program
The California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP) Grant intends to establish and expand Community Schools across California. A community school utilizes the whole-child approach to assess and address student, family, and community needs. It becomes the heart of the neighborhood by recognizing the strengths in our community, strengthening participation in schools, and bringing resources to help students, families, and communities thrive!
Program Manager
The Four Pillars of Community Schools
Parents/caregivers in the school as partners, leaders, and learners
A culture of professional learning, trust, and continuous improvement
Mental/physical health supports and social services
After-school, weekend, and summer programs
Together, the four pillars result in stronger:
Pillar 1: Active Family and Community Engagement
Promoting interaction among families, administration, and teachers helps families to be more involved in the decisions about their children’s education.
Schools function as neighborhood hubs. There are educational opportunities for adults, and family members can share their stories and serve as equal partners in promoting student success.
Active family and community engagement are essential to the success of a Community School. By promoting interaction among families, administration, and teachers, Community Schools invite families to be more involved. As a result, schools are seen as educational partners and neighborhood hubs. Community Schools foster trusting relationships with all stakeholders and help create an inclusive, empowering decision-making process that is built on trust and respect. Community Schools strive to create systems and structures for shared leadership and welcoming environments for families and community members.
Pillar 2: Collaborative Leadership and Practices
Parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners build a culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility using strategies such as site-based leadership teams and teacher learning communities.
Collaborative leadership and practices in a Community School can be seen as the process that links the other three pillars. This starts with developing a unifying vision and goals and identifying shared responsibilities among stakeholders. Collaborative leadership should extend beyond the school team. It should include students, families, community members and leaders of community-based organizations, local government agencies, and university partners.
Pillar 3: Integrated Student Supports
A dedicated staff member coordinates support programs to address out-of-school learning barriers for students and families.
Mental and physical health services support student success.
Community Schools utilize the “whole child” approach when addressing student needs. This means that while academic learning is a focus, so are students’ social and emotional needs. Community Schools provide a wide range of services and support to address these needs. While every Community School has different priorities based on their needs assessment, all Community Schools strive to provide at least the most basic services and support, including medical, dental, and mental health care services, tutoring, and other academic support. Resources for families are also available, such as parent education, housing assistance, and job training. This support is secured through partnerships with local social and health services agencies, non-profits, and other community-based organizations.
Pillar 4: Expanded & Enriched Learning Time & Opportunities
Enrichment activities emphasize real-world learning and community problem solving.
After-school, weekend, and summer programs provide academic instruction and individualized support.
Community Schools also provide expanded learning time and ample enrichment opportunities. This means that the focus on student’s academic success and social and emotional development is also supported outside of the regular school day. Students are provided with programs and opportunities for enrichment activities.