Community Schools

A community school is a public school that combines the best educational practices with a wide range of vital in-house health and social services to ensure that children are physically, emotionally and socially prepared to learn.

Open early mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and summers, the community school serves as a true center of neighborhood life. It is more than simply a place where children attend classes. In this familiar environment they can also receive medical and dental care, speak to a counselor about a problem, stay after school to build reading skills, play chess, work on a computer, take art and music lessons, get help with homework, practice sports and attend summer camp.

The Children’s Aid Society operates 21 community schools in New York City, in partnership with the Department of Education. Initiated in 1992, this work has won national recognition and numerous awards.

Read more for details about the specifics of these partnership schools in New York City, their results to date and the thousands of adaptations nationally and internationally.

For more information, contact our National Center for Community Schools at (646) 867-6660.