Beginning in fall 2014, 45 schools became NYC Community Schools as part of an attendance-improvement and drop-out-prevention grant in partnership with United Way NYC. In School Year 2022-23 there are 421 Community Schools across every district in NYC, funded through city, state and federal dollars.
Community Schools support:
- the whole child
- the child’s family
- learning both inside and outside of the classroom
Community School Success
Read about our results in a new report from the RAND Corporation which proves that NYC Community Schools are effective in increasing graduation rates and student achievement, and in reducing chronic absenteeism and disciplinary incidents.
What Happens in a Community School?
The more time students spend at school, the more they learn. And so Community Schools stay open after school and over the summer. During that time they may offer:
- Arts
- Sports
- Music lessons
- Book clubs
- Robotics
Healthy students attend more days of school. That’s why school-based health services include:
- Vision care/free glasses
- Medical care
- Dental care
- Mental health counselors
When students feel supported and welcome, they thrive in school. That’s why community schools have more adults who can:
- Mentor
- Tutor
- Make connections with parents and families
When students see learning as a life-long skill, they stick with it more. That’s why we offer parents and families:
- Adult education classes
- Training for parents leaders
- Access to social services
Adult education programs and social services provide parents and caregivers with skills and resources to improve their lives.
Each school has a lead Community-Based Organization (CBO) partner that coordinates and delivers services. Every school also has a Community School Director, who is a CBO employee.
Ways to Get Involved
Parents
- Attend your schools Parent Association/Parent Teacher Association Meeting(s) or run for a position.
- Meet with your Parent Coordinator to discuss upcoming opportunities to get involved, like parent workshops or your Community School Forum in the spring.
- Contact the Parent Empowerment Liaison for your district about upcoming parent leadership development opportunities. For more information about parent leadership in Community Schools, visit the Family and Community Empowerment, call 212-374-4118, or write to FACE@schools.nyc.gov
Philanthropic Partners