Each school develops its own programs, suited to its particular students, faculty and community hence, no two Essential schools are alike. Members enjoy the commitments and benefits of a network which provides access to tools and resources, thereby helping schools make progress on whole school change. These schools demonstrate evidence of school-wide commitment to the nine Common Principles and agree to share their learning with other schools and communities. Schools applying to the Coalition must present a plan for change consistent with the nine Common Principles and must demonstrate faculty and governing board support for extending the plan to the entire school. While membership has traditionally been handled through the national office, schools now affiliate through a Center.
Schools are responsible for securing their own funds.
Centers are responsible for carrying out the substantive programmatic work of the Coalition while also building support for reform among broader constituencies to strengthen their own bases of operation. To achieve its mission, CES has chosen to evolve from an informal, centrally run organization to an intentionally decentralized association relying on the local wisdom and guidance of those closest to school change work. CES promotes ownership, commitment, and leadership through its Congress and Executive Board which provide direction, establish priorities, and give a national voice to member schools and Centers. The CES Congress , formed in November 1996, is the main governing body of the Coalition. It is comprised of delegates from Coalition schools and Centers, the Executive Board, and the CES Chair or his designee.