Frequently Asked Questions
Featured FAQ
How can I use this resource to onboard a new principal to an already existing community school?
This resource provides tools and guides to support a new principal’s onboarding. Start with Parts 1 and 2, “What is a Community School?” and “The Role of a Principal,” to gain a foundational understanding of the community school strategy and the principal’s role in leading it. These resources include an overview of the community school framework, tools to understand the coordinator’s role, and additional guidance on the core components of community schools.
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Further Questions & Answers
Do you have a specific challenge related to leading a community school? As part of our efforts to better serve the specific needs of community school principals, we would like to hear from you. Please take a moment to submit your question via the contact form to NCCS. If we post your question to our site, a representative from NCCS will contact you. OR We will do our best to respond to your question.
Review the featured resources on the “What is a Community School” page to become familiar with the community school strategy. Then review the Strategic Planning for Community Schools section to access an Asset and Needs Assessment, case studies, and strategic planning tools. You can explore these resources to better understand the community school model and develop a comprehensive plan.
Key Resources:
You can find a list of available online and in-person trainings on the National Center for Community Schools (NCCS) website. We encourage you to sign up to stay informed about upcoming training opportunities. Additionally, NCCS offers customized coaching, consultation, and training. Please contact us for more information to discuss developing solutions tailored to your team’s needs.
In your role as a principal, a central part of your leadership is creating the connective tissue between the community, families, and your school. Begin by reviewing the resources in the “The Role of a Principal” Section of the website, including engagement strategies, communication templates, and community partnership frameworks to help build strong relationships with families and local organizations. These resources will help you create an inclusive environment that fosters collaboration.
Key Documents:
The Evaluation and Continuous Improvement Section of the Website provides various key documents to help the leadership team learn the basics of evaluation. Then, for further guidance, you can find planning templates, evaluation tools, and reflective practices to guide your school’s improvement journey by clicking here.
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Because the funding landscape for each community school is so diverse and constantly changing, so too are the available funding resources. However, in our Strategic Planning resources, we provide budgeting tools, sample collaborative budget agendas for leadership teams, and case studies of successful funding strategies.
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