Creating school communities where everyone thrives!

every school - a Community School 

Community Schools is a nationally recognized equity strategy that organizes the resources of the local community to accelerate academic and social outcomes for students. Through their integrated focus on academics, health, and social services in partnership with communities, Community Schools become centralized hubs, ensuring that every aspect of a student’s well-being is supported. (Image from Community Schools Forward 2023)

The Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools is a collective of public officials, families, educators, youth, and civic leaders who are working to ensure Massachusetts schools are community-connected, equitable hubs so that students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, and communities are more just. Learn More

The Impact of Community Schools

  • Increased Resources 

  • Higher Student Achievement 

  • Improved Social Emotional Wellbeing 

  • Decreased Chronic Absenteeism 

How many Community Schools are in Massachusetts? 

Boston, Lowell, Salem, Lynn, and Haverhill are Community School districts and receive support from United Way in their CS strategy. Across these districts, there are 32 Community Schools. However, we know there are many districts across the Commonwealth who also define themselves as Community Schools, as they utilize many elements of the framework. We look forward to bringing many districts together to support a larger movement. According to the Coalition for Community Schools, there are 5,589 Community Schools internationally in 47 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada. 

What is the difference between a Community Schools and others? 

Community Schools are intentional about embracing the community as a part of its success. A Community School leverages partnerships and resources to support academic learning, before and after school programs, and a sense of belonging to support their students and families. A Community School is intentional about meeting the needs of the whole child, from food pantries and clothing closets, to reviving arts programming and increasing out-of-school time activities.  

Who is driving the Community Schools work in Massachusetts? 

In 2024, Massachusetts joined 35 other states in launching a Community Schools Coalition. The Coalition is a collective of public officials, families, educators, youth, and civic leaders who are working to ensure Massachusetts schools are community-connected, equitable hubs so that students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, and communities are more just. 

“We must recognize that every child is entitled to a free and appropriate education.

What’s appropriate varies from child to child and situation to situation. The Community Schools strategy allows each school to develop a path that is right for its own community.” 

— Dr. Nina Cullen-Hamzeh, Community School Director at Washington STEM Elementary School in Lynn

Community Schools Spotlight: Lynn, MA (SY23-24)

$300k+

raised in monetary/in-kind donations 

150%

increase in parent involvement at school events

Two

Community Schools launched in September 2023

6%

average decrease in chronic absenteeism among students 

3x

the number of partner programs supporting students

Join Us

Join our growing movement of more than 200 coalition participants representing school districts, non-profit organizations, parents, policy organizations, and teacher’s unions and others! 

Contact us for information and get involved!