Solano County Office of Education - California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP)

California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP)

What is a Community School? Community schools are a “whole child” approach to education and creating the environments with optimal conditions for learning. These conditions include building strong, trusting relationships, engaging in inclusive decision-making, and creating a thriving community within our campus’ and its local neighborhoods.

Pillar 1: Integrated Student Supports

Community Schools utilize the “whole child” approach when addressing student needs. This means that while academic learning is a focus, so are students’ social and emotional needs. Community Schools provide a wide range of services and support to address these needs. While every Community School has different priorities based on their needs assessment, all Community Schools strive to provide at least the most basic services and support, including medical, dental, and mental health care services, tutoring, and other academic support. Resources for families are also available, such as parent education, housing assistance, and job training. This support is secured through partnerships with local social and health services agencies, non-profits, and other community-based organizations.

Pillar 2: Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities

Community Schools also provide expanded learning time and ample enrichment opportunities. This means that the focus on student's academic success and social and emotional development is also supported outside of the regular school day. Students are provided with programs and opportunities for enrichment activities. Currently, our programs include STEM enrichment through Ventana Wilderness, Arts-in-Kind provides art education, workplace learning opportunities through our career pathways in digital arts, business, and transportation, and college classes through our partnership with Hartnell College. Students also have the chance to grow their own food with a new community garden!

Pillar 3: Active Family and Community Engagement

Active family and community engagement are essential to the success of a Community School. By promoting interaction among families, administration, and teachers, Community Schools invite families to be more involved. As a result, schools are seen as educational partners and neighborhood hubs. Community Schools foster trusting relationships with all stakeholders and help create an inclusive, empowering decision-making process that is built on trust and respect. Community Schools strive to create systems and structures for shared leadership and welcoming environments for families and community members.

Pillar 4: Collaborative Leadership and Practices

Collaborative leadership and practices in a Community School can be seen as the process that links the other three pillars. This starts with developing a unifying vision and goals and identifying shared responsibilities among stakeholders. Collaborative leadership should extend beyond the school team. It should include students, families, community members and leaders of community-based organizations, local government agencies, and university partners