Community Schools in Wisconsin Guidebook: A Resource for Starting and Improving Community Schools

The Community Schools model is an evidence-based strategy that centers equity and shared decisionmaking, and enhances educational opportunities for students. The primary purpose of this guidebook is to support a learning community that promotes the growth, quality, and sustainability of Community Schools across Wisconsin. This guidebook is intended for district and school leaders who are in earlier stages of Community Schools planning as well as those in implementation stages. In addition, advocates for Community Schools and policy can use this guidebook to get a better sense of the landscape of Community Schools in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Coalition for Community Schools (WI CCS), in partnership with the Region 10 Comprehensive Center (R10CC), Institute for Educational Leadership’s Coalition for Community Schools (IEL/CCS), National Education Association (NEA), and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), created this resource to uplift the Community Schools model as a strategy for addressing equity, enhancing student and family well-being, and increasing positive student outcomes.

This document provides an overview of Community School models and supports, including

• a list of the current districts implementing Community Schools in Wisconsin; 
• information on how to connect with others who are doing this work across the state;
• a summary of Community Schools policy examples and opportunities;
• funding available for Community Schools; and
• tips on how to get started, or, for those already implementing the Community Schools model, to learn and improve.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Community Schools: What and Why?
3. Voices of Partners: Success Stories of Wisconsin Community Schools
4. Policy and Funding for Community Schools
5. How to Start or Improve a Community School
6. Appendix