The Coalition for Community Schools, an initiative of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), is proud to present leadership awards to community school leaders who have made explicit that only by working together and focusing on equity will all children learn and thrive. The Coalition will present national leadership awards to a youth, national partner, superintendent, initiative leader, coordinator, family and community advocates, and educators at the biennial Rise Up for Equity: A National Summit on Community Schools and Family Engagement (formerly Community Schools National Forum). The Coalition will also honor a long-time community school supporter with the Joy Dryfoos Community School Lifetime Achievement Award.

“What the Four Pillars of Community School Look Like In Action” infographic

With the launch of the New York City Community Schools Initiative (NYC-CS) in 2014, the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) increased its focus on implementing a holistic strategy of education reform to address the social consequences of poverty as a way to improve student outcomes. The strategy of the NYC-CS is to organize resources in schools and share leadership among stakeholders so that academics, health and wellness, youth development, and family engagement are integrated into the fabric of each school. Although community schools are expanding across the country, New York City is implementing the strategy at a scale unmatched nationally.

This toolkit is designed to help you learn more about planning and conducting an evaluation of your community school or community school initiative.

A STRATEGIC COMMITMENT: JULY 2019 – DECEMBER 2025; 25,000 Community Schools by 2025

This guide provides tools for policymakers, students and families, community leaders, allies, and advocates who want to advance community schools as a strategy to improve schools.

The institutions of a neighborhood are vital to its health and economic strength, and public schools are one of the most important shared institutions. They function not only as centers for providing education but also as hubs for communities to organize a range of supports and opportunities for children and their families.

These standards are designed to engage and support the community school’s movement as a standards-driven, evidence-based strategy to promote equity and educational excellence for each and every child, and an approach that strengthens families and community.