• The Coalition for Community Schools (CCS or the Coalition) is an alliance of over 180 national, state, and local organizations—representing education (K-16), youth development, community planning and development, family support, health and human services, government and philanthropy, as well as national/state/local community school networks.
• The Coalition advocates for community schools as the vehicle for strengthening schools, families and communities so that together they can improve student learning.
• The Coalition was established in 1997 and is staffed by and housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, DC.

• Using schools as a "hub," community schools bring together public and private organizations to offer a range of services, supports and opportunities that strengthen and support schools, communities, families and students—before, during, and after school. Schools and communities develop reciprocal and mutually supportive relationships.
• The goal of a community school is to effectively use the assets of a community to ensure that children enter school ready to learn everyday and succeed in school, in life and as citizens of our democracy.

• Increase academic achievement and improve the social emotional and physical well-being of children.
• Foster strong relationships between parents and families and the school in support of student learning.
• Make schools and communities safer and more supportive places.
• Use scarce public, private and community resources more efficiently.

• Conducts research about community schools that demonstrates their effectiveness and explores the tough challenges involved in creating and sustaining community schools.
• Convenes national, regional and local community schools forums as well as Coalition partners meetings that help key stakeholders and their organizations move toward common ground.
• Maintains a Web site and regular e-mail newsletter that provides learning opportunities about community schools and access to the resources of our many partners.
• Promotes a policy framework at the federal, state and local levels that support community schools.
• Nurtures community school networks at the local and state levels, including an Urban Community Schools Network.
• Carries out public education efforts to help our citizens understand the importance of community schools.

• If school districts and states are going to be able to meet the federal standards and avoid the sanctions in NCLB, they are going to have to turn to their communities for more help beyond the classroom, and also learn how to better engage parents and other members of the community—as well as students themselves. Community schools are designed to help do just that.
• Even as state legislators and local leaders and educators begin to "push back" against the deadlines imposed by NCLB, they still face the enormous challenges involved in educating all of their children—while grappling with the added pressures of strained budgets, staff turnover, and challenging community relationships. Community schools are bringing elected officials and educators together and building better bridges between schools and their local parents, businesses, neighborhoods, universities, etc., which can help those most threatened to be left behind, not only in school but also in the workforce.

• One distinctive mark of an effective community schools is that parents and families, and community residents are in the building – during the day, evenings and weekends. Whether for a parent teacher conference, a family night or a special workshop, they are part of the school, and seen as partners in the education of their children. And research tell us that family involvement is vital to student success.

• Community schools represent the best of what can happen when leaders in education, local government, public and private agencies concerned with children and families, community-based organizations, United Ways, philanthropies and business work together. These are the kind of leaders who are working across boundaries to bring communities together to educate their children in community schools.

• Juvenile crime occurs predominantly in the hours between 3:00 and 6:00 pm when many children have parents at work. This is when children who do not have parental guidance or neighborhood outlets for more constructive activities. Or, they cannot get to those services. Community schools are a way of investing resources today to help nurture and guide youth vs. the high costs of incarceration later.

• Billions of dollars have been earmarked for school reconstruction over the next few years. By building schools to be community schools that function as centers of communities local leaders can strengthen the social networks, economic viability and physical infrastructure of the community and make more effective use of very scarce capital construction resources. Why not integrate education, recreation, health and housing planning to create multi-purpose community space?

According to a poll conducted by the Knowledge Works Foundation:

• 91% of respondents favor comprehensive after-school programs.
• 62% favor locating community social services for children on school grounds.
• 72% believe local public schools will not continue to improve unless citizens get involved.
• 71% believe public school officials are interested in the community’s hopes and dreams for its schools.

• If a community school exists in your community, your local school district should be able to connect you to its leadership.
• If there is no community school in your area, contact CCS for recommendations of community schools you might be able to connect with or visit.

For more information about community schools, visit the Coalition for Community Schools Web site at www.communityschools.org or call Amy Berg, Research Associate, at 202-822-8405, ext. 100.