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Schools as Community Hubs BY AMANDA CIANI T he sun is still rising, yet eager learners are being dropped off at school to start their morning off right with a enable schools and their partners to generate optimal whole-child conditions for student learning and development, including:
adult learning programs where schools may organize adult ESL and GED classes, legal aid partnerships, parenting workshops, housing and utility assistance referrals, and more. Expanded, Enriched Learning Opportunities So much learning happens during the school day! But enriching education can also take place during out-of-school time. The nonprofits Out-of-School Time (NOST) Grant programs available in Colorado include before- and after-school, fifth day, weekend, and summer programming. Just because school isn’t in session doesn’t mean that learning and fun have to stop. The CDE states, “As of January 1, 2026, a total of 1,887 public school students across Colorado have participated in programming funded by this grant.” Ensuring students are healthy and supported enough to learn, strengthening their home lives, and increasing learning opportunities outside of regular school hours all lead to effective, enriching educational experiences and outcomes! Dr. Susana Córdova notes that, “Students benefit from stronger relationships with caring adults, opportunities to participate in enriching activities, and a greater sense of belonging. When students feel connected to their school, they’re more likely to attend regularly, engage in learning, and reach their full potential.” So yes, better attendance, behavior, and higher graduation rates are major benefits of this strategy, but so is the feeling of being connected to the community! Colorado’s vision of schools being pillars of the community sets the state apart and truly aims for flourishing, thriving students both in and out of school. To learn more, visit ed.cde. state.co.us.
healthy breakfast. During the day, a student with a tummy ache visits the school’s on- campus clinic. While many kids rush home when the final class bell rings, others stick around for a variety of after-school clubs being offered. Some parents also venture in for adult learning classes taking place that night. With people coming and going for this program or that activity, the parking lot at the local school is a busy, bustling place because schools have become the heartbeat of their neighborhoods. Modern schools are so much more than ABCs and 123s. While they provide those fundamentals of education, they now offer so much more. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) calls this the “community schools strategy.” “The community schools strategy transforms a school into a place where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning and healthy development.” This shift takes a school from being a place just for kids to being a place centered around kids… this means involving families and the community, bringing back the much-needed village that families desperately need. Dr. Susana Córdova, Commissioner of Education, notes, “The community schools strategy recognizes that students learn best when their families and communities are engaged partners. By bringing together educators, families, local organizations, and service providers, schools become trusted neighborhood hubs where students receive the support they need both inside and outside the classroom.” The CDE implements several key practices to
INTEGRATED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORTS A child who is hungry, doesn’t feel well, or is worried about where they are going to sleep at night cannot fully focus on their studies at school. Aiming to reduce barriers of learning, on-site services at schools help support student well-being. The focus is on more than education: Schools are now concerned with healthy development and the conditions children need to learn. Schools nurture student growth through medical, dental and healthcare services, tutoring and academic support, and resources for families such as housing assistance, clothing closets, and food banks. Community gardens may be planted, meals are provided over the summer and weekends, and there may be clothing closets, too. Overall, the shift has been made to where schools care about their students beyond the first and last bell of the school day because a student who feels their best will learn best. By encouraging education to function as a partnership, the CDE actively seeks collaboration and engagement from the community. Through open coffee talks and other forms of communication, schools can identify needs and explore solutions together. Family stability is a major component of student success, and modern schools recognize that bringing resources together under one roof can be of benefit. Beyond adolescent academics, schools are also expanding their reach to adult learners through the family and student engagement pillar. The Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships supports local POWERFUL FAMILY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
18 Education Guide | 2026
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