Helping Community Schools Thrive
At the Center for Community Schools, we're committed to assisting community schools in reaching their full potential. Leveraging the latest research and proven methodologies, we provide the necessary tools and strategies to ensure community schools can flourish. From the planning stages to refining your current operations, we're here to offer support tailored to your needs, always grounded in best practices for community schools.
We listen attentively to each community's unique voice, offering ongoing assistance to ensure that our contributions lead to meaningful and lasting improvements.
The center is the grant administrator for community schools in support of two models.
- Community Partnership School Grant (Community School Grant Program)
- Unlimited Potential Initiative (USDOE Full Service Community Schools Program)
Technical Assistance
Empowering Community Schools for Success
Understanding the pivotal role education plays in societal advancement, our team at the Center for Community Schools stands ready to empower community educators and stakeholders. By delivering training and development opportunities aligned with the Coalition for Community Schools' definition, we support the creation of strong networks that encompass schools, families, and communities.
Through our comprehensive training modules and presentations, community school professionals and partners gain a deeper understanding of strategies to foster planning, development and long-term sustainability. Topics covered include:
- Community school pillars: after-school programming, family and community engagement, integrated student supports.
- Asset mapping and needs assessments to understand community resources and gaps.
- Data collection methods for consistent improvement and accountability.
- Best practices for establishing, growing and leveraging community school partnerships.
- Organizational structure and governance tailored to community schools.
Our professional development sessions — ranging from full- to half-day retreats — are custom-designed for community school leadership teams. These workshops are aimed at enhancing community school progress based on outcome objectives identified by participants.
We also offer specialized retreats and professional development opportunities for frontline community school professionals, such as directors, principals and after-school coordinators. These sessions provide a platform for sharing experiences while seeking education and resources to ensure enduring community impact.
On the Horizon
The center is actively preparing to expand its training and developmental offerings. In the pipeline are live and self-paced training webinars, post-baccalaureate certifications for community school administrators and educators, and bachelor-level course electives for UCF students dedicated to working within a community school environment.
What Stands in Your Way?
Transitioning into a community school model involves a myriad of challenges:
- Access to knowledge: Establishing a strong framework for a successful community school requires comprehensive training and development.
- Strategic planning: Creating a tactical roadmap that aligns with your community's specific objectives and assets.
- Practical execution: Transforming strategic plans into tangible, effective practices.
How We Guide You to Success
- Expertise in Every Step: We’re here to navigate you through the complexities of community school strategy with personalized technical assistance that addresses your distinct challenges.
- Customized Planning and Support: Our team offers a spectrum of support services — from in-person strategic planning to virtual coaching — ensuring you feel prepared and empowered to create an enduring community legacy.
- Resource Hub: Access our extensive library of resources, including practical guides, worksheets and best practice showcases, to support your evolution from concept to sustainability.
Transformative Services Offered
We integrate our training and development initiatives into our technical assistance offerings, delivering:
- Presentations on Demand: Interactive and informative sessions customized to strengthen your teams' understanding of community school dynamics.
- Strategic Discussion Facilitation: Focused sessions that bring clarity to your mission, help identify the role of each stakeholder, and establish precise, actionable objectives.
- Empowering Consultation: Direct access to our experts who can provide guidance, answer questions, and refine your strategy, both on-site and online.
- Invaluable Resources: A rich repository of materials to simplify and enhance your development process, encouraging ongoing progression and achievement.
Join the Movement
The Center for Community Schools isn’t just a source of assistance — we are your partners in building a future where schools are the cornerstone of healthy, vibrant communities. By collaborating, we can shape educational environments that serve as hubs of learning as well as symbols of community solidarity and prosperity.
Email Heather McClellan to learn how you can begin the path toward establishing and nurturing a successful community school.
Assessment and Evaluation
Ensuring Quality Implementation and Improvement in Community Schools
At the UCF Center for Community Schools, we are dedicated to supporting community schools in their mission to provide holistic education. Quality implementation is essential for the success and growth of community schools. Our assessment and evaluation services play a critical role in this process by:
- Facilitating self-assessment with the school leadership team.
- Conducting on-site observations and stakeholder interviews.
- Identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
- Delivering a comprehensive final report with actionable insights.
These evaluations save time and help schools prioritize improvements effectively. They are also valuable in demonstrating the community school's impact to policy makers, school district leaders, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders.
For more information or to utilize our assessment and evaluation services, please contact center Director Dr. Amy Ellis.
To receive the title of UCF-Certified Community Partnership School, schools must demonstrate adherence to the Community Partnership Schools model through a rigorous certification process, anchored by the following steps:
- Certification Readiness Assessment: Conducted in year three to establish readiness for certification.
- Certification Assessment: Implemented in year five to evaluate full model implementation.
- Certification Affirmation Review: Performed three years post-certification to affirm ongoing compliance with standards.
- Re-Certification Assessment: Required five years after initial certification to maintain the certified status.
Schools are evaluated on adherence to 12 standards, including Partnership, Collaborative Leadership, Foundational Principles, Staffing, Integrated Framework, Expanded Learning, Wellness Supports, Engagement, Volunteering, University Assistance, Evaluation, and Sustainability.
Congratulations to Our UCF-Certified Community Partnership Schools
A special commendation to our certified schools across Florida for their commitment to student success and well-being. This honor reflects their dedication and effort over several years.
Testimonials from school directors underscore the value of clear guidelines and technical support provided during the certification process, which serves as a roadmap for optimizing their impact on youth and families.
Ready to begin the certification journey? Here's what you'll need:
- A long-term partnership commitment evidenced by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
- Core positions/roles filled: director, learning coordinator, wellness supports coordinator, etc.
- Programs aligned with community and school needs.
Steps for Schools:
- Submit the Planning Registration Form to join the certification track.
- Apply with the Intent-to-Certify Application, signaling readiness to commence the certification process.
- Conduct an Internal Self-Review using the provided diagnostic tool.
- Compile evidence demonstrating compliance with standard indicators.
- Deploy stakeholder surveys to gather additional insights.
Steps for the UCF Center for Community Schools:
- Review school submissions, conduct interviews, and focus groups for an external assessment.
- Analyze evidence, internal reviews, and survey responses.
- Determine the certification status, with ongoing support offered to reach and maintain certified status.
For additional information on becoming certified or to start the journey, contact the UCF Center for Community Schools.