Golden State Today

Governor Newsom, Superintendent Thurmond Announce Nearly 1,000 New Community Schools

California is turning thousands of schools into community schools; supporting students outside of the classroom helps them succeed inside the classroom.

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom, State Board of Education (SBE) President Linda Darling-Hammond, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that SBE unanimously approved nearly $1.3 billion in grants, appropriated during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 budget years, for community schools at its May meeting – the largest allocation of funds yet under the state’s nation-leading initiative to transform schools through a child- and family-centered lens.

“California is transforming education to make schools a place where every family and student can succeed. Today we are expanding community schools across the state, offering everything from free meals twice a day, to mental health counseling, to before, after, and summer school programs to thousands more students.”

Community schools are a key initiative of California’s historic transformation of public schools that includes universal free school meals, universal transitional kindergarten, before- and after-school learning and investments in teacher training, coaching, recruitment and retention.

“We know children learn best when they are healthy, happy and in a learning environment where they are surrounded by knowledgeable and caring adults attuned to their needs. Well-resourced community schools have been proven to transform students’ lives and improve the well-being of families, thus uplifting entire communities. I am grateful to Governor Newsom, the Legislature, State Superintendent Thurmond and my fellow Board members for continuing to prioritize family partnerships, equity and a ‘whole child’ agenda in public education.”

With the State Board’s action today, nearly $1.3 billion was awarded to 288 local educational agencies (LEAs) across the state. Those funds will support a total of 995 schools in implementing a community schools approach at their sites.

“I am gratified to see our Community Schools initiative continue to grow as the third cohort of grantees receive funds. These grants support our schools to address foundational needs for learning, including mental health and family engagement. Our Community Schools continue to serve as exemplars of programs that educate the whole child. I am proud to see California continue to be at the forefront of recognizing that student wellness is a cornerstone of learning.”

In Eureka City Schools, which received Cohort 1 and 2 Implementation grants, investments in student transportation and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support have dramatically reduced chronic absenteeism.