California Community Schools Partnership Programs

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!

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.

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.