About Stories and Examples
Welcome to our Stories & Examples page—where real-world experiences, compelling testimonials, and practical examples bring ideas to life. Here, you’ll see how strategies are put into action and the meaningful outcomes they create for individuals, schools, and communities.
Anaheim Union High School District: Community School Needs and Assets Survey
The Community School Needs & Assets Survey is designed to gather valuable input from families to better understand the strengths, needs, and priorities of the school community. Curated for use at the school site level, this tool helps guide the development of programs, services, and engagement efforts that are aligned with the academic, social-emotional, and overall well-being of students and families.
UCLA: Student-Centered Learning
At UCLA Community School, student-centered learning goes beyond individualized instruction to embrace a communal, equity-driven approach that celebrates shared humanity, empowers families and educators, and integrates culturally responsive practices within a full-service community school model.
Community Engagement Initiative: Collaborative Leadership Module
Collaborative leadership in community schools is the intentional and systematic shift in power that allows for greater representation and collaboration between all interest holders. This learning module is built collaboratively with and based on publications and findings created by the State Transformational Assistance Center (S-TAC) for California Community Schools.
A Community Schools Introductory Presentation
This presentation about transforming Hapgood Elementary into a Community School shows an opportunity to build on existing strengths—such as strong family ties and a caring culture—by fostering deeper collaboration among educators, families, and the community to support holistic student development, equity, and shared decision-making.
San Diego Unified School District: Community Schools Contract Article
This resource outlines Article 36 of the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) policy, which establishes the framework for the District’s Community Schools Initiative. It serves as a foundational guide for understanding how SDUSD is building equitable, racially just, and community-driven schools through the implementation of evidence-based pillars and practices. The article details the vision, structure, roles, and funding mechanisms that support the transformation of schools into hubs of integrated support, collaborative leadership, and culturally-sustaining education—tailored to meet the unique needs of each school community.