Community Schools in Idaho are public schools that partner with community stakeholders to create conditions where every student thrives. Community Schools are neighborhood-focused and bring together local families, businesses, nonprofits, and leaders who come together around a shared vision for community outcomes.
United Way of Treasure Valley has launched and strengthened the work of Idaho’s Community Schools since 2014. Across Idaho, there are over 35 Community Schools. That means there is a Community School in every corner of Idaho and each Community School is as unique as the neighborhood that surrounds it.
What unifies Idaho’s Community Schools is the focus on Four Pillars.
- Active Family and Community Engagement – Impactful opportunities for families to learn and engage with schools and actively participate in the educational success of their children.
- Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities – Meaningful learning experiences beyond the school day to support a love of learning and foster real-world opportunities.
- Collaborative Leadership and Practices – Investment from all stakeholders of the school community through shared responsibility and decision making.
- Integrated Student Supports – Coordinated services to meet the holistic needs of students and families by providing the right resource, to the right people, at the right time.
From Kindergarten Readiness classes to food pantries, mental health resources, and on-site dental check-ups for students during the school day these Four Pillars look different at each Community School site. Regardless of how the community comes together through Community School work the measurable outcomes of improved student attendance, behavior, and academic success can be seen across all 35 sites.