The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) manages one of the largest community schools systems in the nation, known as the Community Schools Initiative (CSI). Awarded by the Coalition for Community Schools in 2006 with the Community School.
ls National Award for Excellence, CSI has launched more than 200 schools, in partnership with nearly 50 lead non-profit organizations.
Community schools bring together educators, families, and community partners to meet students’ and families’ academic and non-academic needs, develop educated citizens, and strengthen local neighborhoods. Programs and services focus on four areas: expanded learning opportunities; health and social supports and services; family and community engagement; and early childhood development.
Goals
- Transform and maintain selected public schools to become the centers of their communities, with campuses open mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and into the summer
- Connect children and families to a range of services that foster individual and economic well-being
- Counteract the effects of a range of negative factors that contribute to students' lack of opportunities and underachievement
- Engage parents and the community to improve academic achievement
Benefits
- Ongoing educational programs and workshops are available for parents
- Access to resources
- Opportunity explore enrichment programs such as music, art, and STEM
- All out-of-school programs relate to and support the school's academic program
Enrollment
Families may contact their Community School Resource Coordinator for the specific enrollment processes at their CSI school.
