5 Steps to Kickstarting Community Schools in Your District

Want to unite your community and transform your schools into places where all students can achieve their dreams? Follow these five steps to bring a community school to your district to improve learning and build healthier communities in harmony.

These steps are also available in a printable PDF format here.

Kickstart Community Schools in Five Steps

Build Chapter Leader Support - Local leaders understand the importance and benefits of Community Schools. Ex: Executive Board and/or Rep Council resolutions.
Build Member Support - Members understand the importance and benefits of Community Schools. Ex: Rep Council Resolution, Site-visits
Build Community Support - Families and the community understand the importance and benefits of Community Schools. Ex: Community Town Halls, Home Visits
Build an Agreement for Collaborative Planning - District commits to an open, inclusive planning process. Ex: District signs MOU agreeing to engage with interest-holders in planning meetings.
Build Structures for Shared Decision-Making - District commits to permanent, ongoing, and inclusive shared decision-making governance structures. Ex: Permanent contract language describing the Community School steering committee.

Apply to be part of the Community Schools Implementation Institute!

The NEA Implementation Institute for Community Schools (Implementation Institute) is a network of community schools committed to a transformational community-driven process. The institute supports participants through monthly PLC meetings, customized trainings, coaching for local district and site teams, and access to a step-by-step guide to developing community schools.

To begin connecting with the Implementation Institute, please tell us a little bit more about your Community School goals, efforts, and aspirations, so that we can determine how best to support you and your team!

Note: If your district/site has already been participating in the NEA CS Implementation Institute, and you just need to add new individuals from district/site teams, please use this form instead.