Register for the 2026 Wisconsin Community Schools Conference
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One positive outcome from the bygone era of No Child Left Untested is the Community Schools movement. An alternative to the test and punish attempt to reform public schools of the early 2000s, the Community Schools model implements a whole child approach while integrating both tangible and intangible resources of the community. Community Schools are developed with the understanding that every community is different. Recognizing that education is a shared responsibility, Community Schools ensure families, students, and community members have a say in deciding what will work best for student success.
Community Schools challenge the traditional model of isolated schooling by creating vibrant hubs of learning and activity which connect students and families to health services, mental health support, afterschool programs, adult education, and other resources identified by members of the school community. This whole-child strategy addresses barriers to learning that exist outside the classroom, recognizing that poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of healthcare significantly impact student learning. Rather than treating schools as standalone institutions, our model positions them as anchors for neighborhood revitalization and family support.
Research demonstrates Community Schools improve attendance rates, reduce chronic absenteeism, increase graduation rates, and boost student learning. Longitudinal studies have found that students in well-implemented Community Schools demonstrate better social-emotional development and behavior. The evidence suggests that the longer students participate in Community School programs, the greater the benefits. Cost-benefit analyses have also shown favorable return on investment, with school-based service for young people and their families prevent far more expensive interventions later.
Community Schools Guidebook for Wisconsin
