Introduction to Sustainable Community Schools
Chicago Public Schools will nearly double the number of schools that receive extra funding for family support and resources, officials announced Monday in what they called an effort to boost community involvement and educational equity across the city. With the addition of 16 schools to the “sustainable community schools” model, the district’s total will increase to 36, mostly on the South and West sides.
The Concept and Benefits
The model turns schools into community hubs with wraparound support beyond academics, such as new after-school programs, adult learning for parents or health resources for the community. The schools emphasize input from parents, students and community members and a view that kids need more than classroom instruction to succeed. Leaders said the success they’ve seen in previous sustainable community schools is worth the cost, citing an increase in mental health resources, a drop in chronic absenteeism and improved academic performance and general school culture, according to the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).
Student and Community Impact
“Being a student ambassador at my school has given me plenty of opportunities to voice what I think my school should look like,” said Ariana Anderson, a rising eighth grader at sustainable community school Fort Dearborn Elementary in Washington Heights. “I have learned not only what student voice is, but also how it looks in and outside of a school.” This kind of empowerment and engagement is what the sustainable community schools aim to foster, not just among students but also within the broader community.
Addressing Root Causes of Violence
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the model is also meant to address the root causes of violence by adding after-school programs and other resources. “We are making the immediate interventions to bring down crime and violence,” the mayor said. “And as our communities have asked us to do, certainly we also need to make the long-term [target] the root causes of violence. And that’s what we’re doing today. Investing in public education is violence prevention.”
Funding and Challenges
The program is expensive, which has been a barrier to transforming more schools. The CTU contract stipulates sustainable community schools each receive $500,000 in funding. The current budget deficit is $569 million, and the district is running out of time to present its options to close that gap. Johnson said the state has a responsibility to provide more funding. “Those concerns are real,” Johnson said. “This is not something that should be seen as a burden. … As a collective we’re working to ensure that this year’s budget allows for these investments to be maintained, and we’re gonna need those same parents who are concerned, like all of us, to work with the General Assembly to ensure that we are fully funded as a district.”
Selection of New Sustainable Community Schools
The 16 schools added to the model were selected out of 245 that were eligible because their students face greater hardship, such as higher rates of poverty or homelessness, officials said. The list of newly added sustainable community schools includes:
- Ira Aldridge Elementary School
- Austin College and Career Academy High School
- Belmont-Cragin Elementary School
- James H. Bowen High School
- Cesar E. Chavez Multi-Cultural Academic Center
- George W. Collins Academy STEAM High School
- James R. Doolittle Elementary School
- Englewood STEM High School
- Stephen F. Gale Community Academy
- Harold Washington Elementary School
- Gurdon S. Hubbard High School
- Stephen T. Mather High School
- McCutcheon STEAM Elementary School
- Richard J. Oglesby Elementary School
- Telpochcalli Dual-Language Elementary School
- George Washington High School
Conclusion
The expansion of sustainable community schools in Chicago marks a significant step towards enhancing educational equity and community involvement. Despite the financial challenges, the commitment to this model reflects a belief in the holistic development of students and the power of community engagement in addressing deeper social issues. As the city navigates its budget deficit, the support for these schools will be a critical factor in their success and the broader impact on Chicago’s educational landscape.
FAQs
- What are sustainable community schools?
Sustainable community schools are a model that turns schools into community hubs, providing wraparound support beyond academics, including after-school programs, adult learning, and health resources. - How many schools are being added to the model?
16 schools are being added to the sustainable community schools model, bringing the total to 36. - What are the benefits of sustainable community schools?
Benefits include increased mental health resources, reduced chronic absenteeism, improved academic performance, and enhanced general school culture. - How are the schools funded?
Each sustainable community school receives $500,000 in funding as stipulated by the CTU contract. - What challenges does the program face?
The program faces funding challenges, with the district currently having a budget deficit of $569 million.
