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Before we called them community schools
Youth development doesn't just change young people, it raises the adults who spend the rest of their lives changing systems to better serve young people.
Youth are not the future of community schools–They are the architects of the movement
Student voice isn't about inviting young people to validate adult ideas. It's about recognizing that lived experience is expertise.
Whole-child systems transformation starts with whole-person leadership
Transformative relationships are formed when we share pieces of our humanity with others, and thus, invite them to do the same.
Stop adding frameworks. Start connecting them.
If you’ve ever left a meeting and felt like you learned a lot, feel like the material is relevant, but also are more confused than before you came in, you might be experiencing framework fatigue.
From putting out fires to building systems: A community schools lesson
My first few years as a Community School Coordinator (CSC) were, honestly, confusing.
Building trust, making impact: My journey as a newcomer student
Creating a school environment where trust, safety, and belonging are felt by students, families, staff, and community partners is essential for meaningful learning and engagement.
Build the room with families–not for them
The community schools approach teaches us that every voice matters, and that authentic transformation comes when students, families, educators, and community members each contribute their perspectives and strengths.
Coffee and conversation do not equate to transformational family engagement
When asked about their family engagement efforts, many school teams say that they’re putting in the work. But it’s hard to point to evidence of this connection beyond survey results–let alone know how many people took the survey in the first place.
Moving Beyond ‘Checking the Box:’ Taking Data from Compliance to Curiosity
Community school (CS) practitioners and teams that have a curiosity-centered mindset pull data, gather interest holders, and dig deep on questions about what the data is telling them.
You’re never ‘done’ building your community school
When you take a mindset that recognizes the cyclical nature of community school development, then you are truly digging into and doing the (hard) work of sustaining it.
