Definition

A Community School fosters relationships that are used to transform a traditional school into a center of opportunity for children, youth, families and communities before, during and after school, seven days a week. Parents and community members work in partnership with educators to support the school as a center of learning for their community with an integrated focus on academics, family supports and community services. A Community School is the center for a range of programs and services that address the diverse needs of the community. --Department of Education, Province of New Brunswick.

Benefits of a Community School

When a community school is established it transforms the school into a center of opportunity for children, youth, families and community. Creates an alliance between the school and the community.

• Utilizes community resources such as:
  • Volunteer groups
  • Parents
  • Public sector
  • Private sector
• Parents, business and community members work in partnership with educators to support schools as centers of learning for their communities by leveraging the physical, intellectual and cultural resources in the community around them
• Is unique, which means every community will have a different mix of services
• Uses resources to provide additional opportunities for classroom instruction and /or after school programs.
• Insures all activities and services reflect the primary goal- to enrich and support educational outcomes.
• Fosters a commitment to lifelong learning
• Is open for students, their families and organizations beyond traditional hours.

Establishing a community school is not simply enhancing what currently exists by additional funding. Community schools must have concrete community partnerships which benefit the students, the school and the community. A community school would act to strengthen the sense of community by serving as a hub of community activity and development.

Community Schools Goals

• To deliver high quality educational programs
  
• Create positive learning opportunities
  
• Foster cooperative learning culture / environment
• Increase learner success by addressing educational and social needs
• Develop successful family / community / school partnerships that integrate and improve access to resources
• Encourage leadership in educational innovations 
• Respect and promote the culture and identity of the community
• Support life-long learning programs

Examples of Partnerships

• Sobeys
• Kiwanis
• Rotary
• Knights of Columbus
• Junior Achievement
• RCMP – Community Programs Officer
• Department of Education
• Department of Wellness Culture and Sports – “Go NB” grants
• NB Multi-Cultural Association
• NB Adult Literacy
• Local Businesses
• Volunteer Agencies
• Community Recreational Groups