THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARTHENON
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COLLABORATION
THE BEDROCK: A SCHOOL WITH STRONG LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENT TEACHING, AND HIGH QUALITY CURRICULUM
A community school is built on the bedrock of a strong education system, and prepares the child holistically – not just academically – for success in life by
providing programs and services that address the mental, physical, and emotional development of students. A community school creates a culture of shared
responsibility for the success of students, families, and the community and engages adults through educational programs that meet their needs and allow them
to best support their children’s academic success. Programs and services can cover all three levels of the RTI (Response to Intervention).
DRAFT UPDATE: 2012 (approval pending)
For a school to make the transformation into a community school, there are key supporting foundation bricks and program pillars that must be in
place – the community school Parthenon. Foundation bricks are the fundamental practices in which a school and its community partners must
engage so as to create a high quality community school. Supporting pillars describe the full range of programming that successful community
schools must have.
FOUNDATIONS of a fully implemented community school ensure high quality, community-engaged, and leveraged resources at school:
* Shared Leadership – school leaders and stakeholders are shared leaders in the community school development and outcomes.
* Integrated Learning – out-of-school time programs are linked to learning, supporting and expanding on the school day curriculum.
* Shared Vision – community and school stakeholders work together to establish a set of goals for student and family success.
* Collaboration – community school staff, stakeholders, and community partners integrate and share their resources at the school.
* Partnerships – community schools build true partnerships with community-based organizations, families, and stakeholders.
* Leveraged Resources – community schools leverage existing community investments and resources for students and families.
* Broader Opportunities – during out-of-school time community schools offer programming to expand the experiences of students.
* Data-driven Decision Making – community schools evaluate their programs and their outcomes to ensure quality and success.
PILLARS of programming at a community school ensure that the needs of the whole child, families and the community are met:
* Academics – community schools enhance a strong academic core curriculum and a school staff prepared for excellent teaching and
learning with out-of-school-time partners providing programs that link to and enrich classroom learning. Children’s learning and academic
performance are improved.
* Health – community schools know that a healthy and well student is a necessity for success. Physical and mental health and wellness
programs and services may include athletics, nutrition, and school-based physical/mental health services.
* Family – community schools value the participation and engagement of parents because parental involvement is key to student success.
Programs include adult education skill-building, opportunities for involvement, and family leadership development.
* Community – community schools act as hubs of their communities and bring community assets into the school. The school opens itself
up to the community, allowing community members to use the facilities and provide community-wide programs.
When the community school Parthenon is built using these Foundation bricks and program Pillars, a high quality, robust, life-changing community
school will be created. At this community school, students will improve academically, become positively engaged in school, and develop their many
interests through strong programming. At the same time, parents and community members become active participants in the successful
development of their children as they work together collectively. This is the success that community schools create – success for students, families
and community members – when following the Parthenon.
The Federation for Community Schools developed this Community School Parthenon in partnership with its coalition members, who are experts in managing and administering
community schools in Illinois. For a more detailed description of the Parthenon or a How To Become a Community School Guide, please contact the Federation at 312-629-4990 or
visit the website at www.ilcommunityschools.org. Federation address: 20 N. Wacker, Suite 1740, Chicago, IL 60606.
DRAFT UPDATE: 2012 (approval pending)