Community School Programs

What programs are offered?
Community Schools and Preschool Programs offers before and after school, preschool, fall and spring break programs, and summer programs, and other programs for the school community. See the Before and After School Childcare for programs offered at our schools.
What is a Community School?
A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Schools become centers of the community and are open to everyone – all day, every day, evenings and weekends.
What Happens at a Community School?
After school, evenings, Saturdays, and during fall and spring break or over the summer, there may be arts and crafts, cultural enrichment, interest classes, tutoring, child care, or field trips for children; interest classes or recreation for teens; classes in computers, sewing, cake decorating, auto mechanics, high school equivalency, or job training for teens and adults; arts and crafts or interest classes for senior citizens. Also, preschool classes may be offered during the day for young children.
In a community school, youth, families and community residents work as equal partners with schools and other community institutions to develop programs and services in five areas:
- Quality education — High-caliber curriculum and instruction enable all children to meet challenging academic standards and use all of the community’s assets as resources for learning.
- Youth development — Young people develop their assets and talents, form positive relationships with peers and adults, and serve as resources to their communities.
- Family support — Family resource centers, early childhood development programs, and coordinated health and social services build on individual strengths and enhance family life.
- Family and community engagement — Family members and other residents actively participate in designing, supporting, monitoring and advocating quality activities in the school and community.
- Community development — All participants focus on strengthening the social networks, economic viability and physical infrastructure of the surrounding community.