Community schools are places where everyone’s voice matters and multiple strategies are employed for shared and authentic decision-making about implementation of the strategy. 

Community schools operate the same way as other HCPSS schools, with additional focus on expanded learning opportunities; health and social supports and services; family and community engagement; and early childhood development. Programs and services vary school-to-school based on local needs and goals established by a school site community school team inclusive of all community voices.

Although most schools work with community partners and programs, community schools programs work intentionally to engage specified strategies that are focused collaborative efforts aligned with the school’s academic plans and goals. Through authentic engagement with school and community leaders; educators; community partners; students; families; and residents, a community school serves to be a hub that promotes positive, equitable outcomes for students, families, and communities.

MSDE and local community school programs are required to follow identified community school best practices that include:

Howard County Public School System HCPSS has designated the following as community schools for the 2024-25 school year. These sites will be funded through Concentration of Poverty Grants established by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation.

In Maryland, a community school is any school that receives a Concentration of Poverty Grant (CPG) established by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation. The Maryland State Department of Education indicates that nearly one-third of Maryland public schools will be converted to the proven community school model by 2027. These schools are eligible for the grant based on a calculation of the number of students living in poverty enrolled at the school

Summer programs offer transportation for students via community bus stops; door-to-door service is not provided. A community bus stop is a location where students in a geographic location will meet and a school bus will pick-up and transport them to their summer program. Community bus stop locations are based on student enrollments.

HCPSS summer program offers a variety of courses and programs, including both in-person and virtual options for some programs. The course listings are available from the summer programs webpage.

Teachers will post their Google Meet code in their Canvas course a few days before the scheduled start date. Students enrolled in a virtual class are expected to follow the Google Meet Expectations for Students and Families.