Community Schools and Partnerships
Welcome to the Department of Community Schools and Partnerships
The Department of Community Schools and Partnerships leads a districtwide effort to support student success by integrating academics with health, social services, and family and community engagement. Rooted in the Community Schools model, the department focuses on fostering educational achievement while nurturing the social, emotional, and physical well-being of students and their families.
At the heart of this work are our Family Centers—welcoming hubs that connect students and caregivers to essential resources, in-school services, and trusted community partners. By strengthening the bridge between home, school, and community, the department creates inclusive environments where all students can learn, grow, and thrive.
The Community Schools model is framed around Four Pillars:
Integrated Student Supports
Students' success is fostered and supported by addressing both academic and non-academic barriers. This whole-child approach seeks to close achievement and inequality gaps. Integrated Student Supports include health and counseling services, academic support, parent education classes, and resources for families.
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EXPANDED AND ENRICHED LEARNING TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES
Supporting students’ social emotional growth, physical health, and academic success goes beyond the regular bell hours to provide well-structured learning opportunities after school and during summer months. Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities narrow the achievement gap by offering learning activities outside of the school day and year.
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Active Family and Community Engagement
The Community Schools model prioritizes strengths of meaningful engagement of families and community members to improve structures, systems, supports, and student outcomes. The hub of much of this engagement takes place in RCSD’s Family Centers, as well as other collaborative activities such as volunteer opportunities, parent education, and family events. Streamlining access to resources creates a safe, equitable place for students and families.
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Collaborative Leadership and Practices
Engaging in collaborative goals is essential to coordinating Community School and District-wide services and supports for all students and families. RCSD staff, families, community partners, leaders in the community, and local agencies all play an important role in implementing Community School initiatives by leveraging the knowledge and skills of all stakeholders.
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