United Way NCA Community Schools are an intentional school transformation strategy focused on results with participation from school and community leaders, educators, community partners, students, families and residents. A regular school may have community partners and programs, but they typically operate in silos and are not well-aligned with the school’s academic plans and goals.
Community Schools also differ in how they view the community around them and how they work with community partners. Community Schools see the community as a resource for learning and development and as a partner in the education of its children. They develop respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with families, neighborhood residents and agencies and organizations who are concerned with the well-being of the region’s youth.