BOSTON - United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools are working to make sure every school in the Commonwealth is a Community School.
Briefing state lawmakers and rallying support for the Community Schools strategy, a Legislative Briefing at the Statehouse co-sponsored last week by State Senator Paul Mark and State Representative Chyna Tyler was the backdrop for the Coalition and its partners to highlight the effectiveness of the Community Schools strategy in improving student achievement, social-emotional wellbeing and attendance, and increased resources for schools.
“We know the Community Schools strategy works,” said Marty Martinez, President and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. “Our goal at United Way is to make sure all children are being supported, educated and centered by their community. Our partners in the legislature are important in achieving that goal, especially in securing funding necessary to make sure this is an option for all districts.”
Community Schools is a nationally recognized equity strategy that organizes resources of the local community to accelerate academic and social outcomes for students. In Massachusetts, the cities of Boston, Haverhill, Lowell, Lynn, and Salem have already adopted the Community Schools strategy with demonstrated positive school, family, and student outcomes. During the luncheon a panel of educators answered key questions about the Community Schools strategy’s success in their schools.
“I think the impact the strategy has on our students is palpable,” said Principal Anthony Frey of Washington STEM in Lynn. “When you have teacher buy-in and once we started bringing the parents in as well, and they began understanding that this is actually their school and not ours, I think it changed the dynamic of what that school-home relationship can be, and you could start to feel the energy of that.”
Renne Omolade, Senior Director of Educational Strategies and Community Schools at United Way, presented Coalition data that shows an integrated focus on academics, health, and social services through strategic engagement with communities, Community Schools become centralized hubs, ensuring that every aspect of a child’s well-being is supported.
Early results in school districts that recently launched the Community Schools strategy include:
- Two Community Schools in Lynn, launched in September of 2023 and funded by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, report a 6% decrease in chronic absenteeism, over $300,000 raised in monetary-in-kind donations to support students and families, and a 150% increase in parent involvement at school events and volunteer opportunities
- In Lowell, 4,898 students and 2,299 family members are served across six schools, with 70% of students connected to community school supports. The result? Lowell Public Schools reports a 5% district-wide decrease in chronic absenteeism, exceeding the district’s target and three Community Schools improved metrics needed to exit DESE turnaround status.
- Boston supports 20 Community Hub Schools, engaging over 100 partners and supporting over 8,000 students
- Two Community Schools were launched in Haverhill in September of 2024, funded by United Way of Massachusetts Bay. So far, more than $31,500 has been raised in monetary/in-kind donations through community partnerships
“Community Schools provide a lot of the wraparound supports that our students really need,” says Jessica Tang, President of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. “Whether it’s trying to figure out after-school programming or trying to figure out how our students have basic things they need to learn for their physical health, an evidence-based approach like Community Schools strategy is really needed.”
Building on successes in Lynn, Lowell, Boston and Haverhill, the Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools was formed in 2024 to advance the strategy in these cities and statewide. By combining legislative, budget and administrative asks, the Coalition is working to advance a collective agenda to ensure Massachusetts schools are community-connected, equitable hubs so that students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
“Student success is not just about what happens in a school,” said State Representative Chyna Tyler, 7th Suffolk. “We’re looking forward to exploring how this strategy can help meet families’ needs – and meet them where they are. To be able to introduce students to different opportunities through a Community Schools initiative is what I’m most excited about.”
For more information on Community Schools go to www.communityschoolsma.org