Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy

Community schools represent a place-based strategy in which schools partner with community agencies and allocate resources to provide an “integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement.” Well-implemented community schools can lead to improvement in student and school outcomes and contribute to meeting the educational needs of low-achieving students in high-poverty schools. This research reinforces the efficacy of integrated student supports, expanded learning time and opportunities, and family and community engagement as intervention strategies.