The Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools

We have more than 200 coalition participants representing school districts, non-profit organizations, parents, policy organizations, and teachers unions.  

In 2024, Massachusetts joined 35 other states in launching a Community Schools Coalition. 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.   

  • Our coalition exists to advance initiatives and policies that prioritize the good of communities and our most impacted people, shared priorities, commitment to our mission, and collective impact rather than individual or organizational agendas. 

  • Our coalition is committed to advancing equity to dismantle the systemic barriers and address the historical and unique challenges faced by our students, families, and school community members.

  • True inclusion requires us to create space and a decision-making process where everyone, no matter their background or abilities, is valued and empowered to fully participate and we seek maximum appropriate involvement. 

  • To achieve equity, inclusion, and greater impact for all students and families–our collective work must center our most marginalized students and families within the education system and collaborate with them on community-driven solutions.  

  • We strive to build long-term relationships with clear and honest dialogue and communication that builds better understanding of each other and our organizations positions. This includes thoughtful and proactive sharing of  information with each other and examining one’s biases and privileges and how that might contribute to systemic issues.

  • We approach collaboration and collective problem-solving with deeper partnerships and engagement among coalition member organizations and our education community, especially with students, families, and educators and school staff. Bringing together our different perspectives, experiences, abilities, and knowledge are critical to transformative change and building strategic alliances.

  • Shared accountability in our collective work means mutual responsibility to achieve equitable and just educational outcomes; uphold our coalition’s values and principles; and secure resources necessary to support the expansion of Community schools across the State for generations to come.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COALITION VALUES 

Working Groups

Policy and Advocacy 

The Policy and Advocacy working group has been able to prioritize key policy recommendations for the upcoming legislative session. The group is currently working toward three goals to advance Community Schools Strategy across the region.  

Massachusetts Community Schools Coalition Proposed Policy Agenda 

The Policy and Advocacy working group has been able to prioritize key policy recommendations for the upcoming legislative session. We have identified a multi-modal approach to sustaining, scaling and strengthening the key drivers to building political and public will for Community Schools across the Commonwealth. By combining a legislative, budget and administrative ask, the coalition will be well positioned to advance our collective agenda to ensure Massachusetts schools are community-connected, equitable hubs so that students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, and communities are more just.  

1. An Act to Establish a Community Schools Special Commission 

File special commission legislation on Community Schools to investigate Community Schools strategies and to make recommendations regarding the adoption of Community Schools in the Commonwealth.  

Bill filed by Senator Paul Mark and Representative Chynah Tyler 

2. Add Community Schools to the suggested list of practices that DESE provides in order to receive SOA funding/other sustained funding 

Districts Receiving Student Opportunity Act (SOA) funds are required to do SOA plans that describe Evidence Based Practices they will implement with new funds from SOA.  

3. Budget ask - $3,000,000 (HWM and SWM) 

In Massachusetts, the cities of Boston, Haverhill, Lynn, Lowell, and Salem have already adopted the Community Schools strategy with demonstrated positive student outcomes. Building on this success, the Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools was formed in 2024 to advance this strategy in these cities and statewide. WE are seeking to fund the Department of Elementary and Education in FY 2026 with a new investment of $3,000,000 designated to support both existing and new Community Schools across the Commonwealth to gain the benefits of this proven strategy.  

Partner Engagement — COMING SOON! 

Professional Learning Network — COMING SOON! 

Communications — COMING SOON! 

JOIN us

Learn more about how to get involved in our coalition by getting in touch.