Preparation to Become a Community School: A Readiness Toolkit
The Readiness Toolkit outlines clear, concrete actions public schools and public charter schools can take to prepare for whole school
Resources
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Chicago Public Schools Community Schools Initiative: Case Study of Coordinating Integrated Student Supports and Expanded Learning Opportunities
Practice guide that provides research-based strategies for implementing collaborative leadership within community schools, grounded in real-world experiences from community school
Chicago Public Schools Community Schools Initiative: Case Study of Strong Partnerships
Case study highlighting strategies, promising practices, challenges, and lessons learned from two Chicago community schools with strengths in forming and
Essentials for Community School Implementation Plan
Tool supporting Community School Leadership Teams (CSLT)—often called advisories—in transforming asset and needs assessments into a focused plan that guides
Community Schools Forward: Framework: Essentials for Community School Transformation
Short overview of the essentials framework with definitions of the key practices
CSF Theory of Action
Visual framework showing how the community school strategy revolves around a continuous improvement cycle supported by a strong community school
Community Schools Forward: Stages of Development
Guide helping practitioners understand the characteristics, processes, and measures that help a community school evolve.
A Brief Guide to Principal and Coordinator Partnership
Guide outlining the leadership mindsets principals need, the systems that help build strong principal-coordinator collaboration, and the distinct but complementary
Building Your Advisory Council – the Basics
Guide providing an overview of the foundational elements of advisory councils and answering common questions from community school practitioners.
Community School Coordinator Skillset
Self-assessment of community school coordinator skills.
NCCS Essentials for Community Schools Implementation Guide
A practical guide helping community school leadership teams turn assets and needs data into coordinated, partner-driven action plans that improve
Community School Master Planning Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet helping community school coordinators inform planning conversations with school leadership teams and community-based organizations.
NYC DOE Continuous Improvement Guide
New York City guide helping teams implement continuous improvement (CI) at their site, including CI templates and tools.
Outcomes and Indicators for Community Schools: A Guide for Implementers and Evaluators
Guide providing examples of specific outcomes and measurable indicators to monitor short- and medium-term progress toward locally determined community school
[Fact Sheet] How Community Schools Improve Outcomes
Fact sheet summarizing research findings on community school initiatives in New York, Florida, California, Maryland, New Mexico, and Ohio.
What Does a Community School Classroom Look Like?
Meta-analysis identifying common components of teaching and learning within community school classrooms.
Chicago Public Schools Community Schools Initiative: Case Study of Collaborative Leadership
Case study highlighting strategies, promising practices, challenges, and lessons learned from two Chicago community schools with strengths in collaborative leadership.
Community Schools Practice Guide Series – Guide 1: Collaborative Leadership
Practice guide providing research-based strategies for implementing collaborative leadership in community schools, grounded in practitioner experience and evidence.
The Science of Learning and Development in Afterschool Systems and Settings
Brief describing the foundations of the Science of Learning and Development (SoLD) and how they align with afterschool systems and
State Strategies for Investing in Community Schools
Report describing community school initiatives in eight states, highlighting three approaches to state support: ongoing funding through school funding formulas,
Community Schools Essential Framework in Spanish
Spanish-language version of the Community Schools Essential Framework, outlining the core components for transforming schools into community hubs that support
Key Practices for Community Schools Transformation: An Infographic
Infographic illustrating the key practices schools implement to transform into community hubs.
Just Schools Building Equitable Collaborations with Families and Communities
Book exploring how equitable family and community collaboration transforms power, builds reciprocity and agency, and fosters collective capacity.
Brookings CUE – Center for Family and Community Engagement
Suite of community-driven research tools for school and community teams exploring family, school, and community engagement. Includes contextualization guidance, exploratory
Strengthen Your Leadership. Deepen Your Impact.
The National Center for Community Schools helps principals turn the community schools strategy into action with clear guidance, practical tools, and trusted expertise. Ready to move your work forward? Let’s connect.
