Community Schools
What is a community school?
“A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development along with community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Community Schools are centers of the community, open to everyone. Using public schools as a hub, community schools bring together a wide variety of partners to offer a range of services and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities.” – Institute for Educational Leadership & Coalition for Community Schools
The Mark Armijo Community Schools Strategy
Community Schools Key Practices
Powerful Student and Family Engagement
- Latinos de Amazon – In-kind donations and support of family events
- Hacia: Towards the University – goal setting and student success planning – credit tracking, goal planning, and college workshops with families and students through after-school events and advisory.
- Enlace Comunitario – Healthy relationships adult education
- WIOA Youth Workforce Program
- Ted M. Gallegos Community Center – Student employment opportunities through CABQ Youth & Family Services, and Health & Social Services
- Mark Armijo Equity and Community Youth Cohort – student group focusing on community engagement, student empowerment, collaborative leadership, and equity
Collaborative Leadership, Shared Power and Voice
- Johns Hopkins University Everyone Graduates Center’s National School Redesign Showcase – a year-long collaboration between staff and students to design and exhibit school experiences
- (Coming soon) Peer-led restorative justice cohort
- Community and Equity Council
- Alamosa Neighborhood Association – collaboration for mutual beneficial community support and neighborhood organizing
Expanded, Enriched Learning Opportunities
- Mariachi Club – Sponsored by The Atrisco Companies
- Working Classroom – Liberatory, student-centered creativity, art, and writing
- Duke City Leadership Lowrider Bike Club
- Kids Cook! New Mexico – student employment opportunity where students work with elementary students and assist an elementary school cooking course/programming instructor
- LNESC – “D-Linc Computer skills program through Study Skills course. Students receive a free laptop for their participation and completion of the program
- New Mexico YMCA Youth & Government Program – club for experiential learning related to the three branches of state government. Culminating in an annual conference at the Capitol in Santa Fe
Rigorous-Community Connected Classroom Instruction
- Three Sisters Kitchen – Culturally-relevant, hands-on credited cooking course with local foods. Students will also prepare and test for receiving their ServSafe Food Handler’s License.
- Nature Ninos – Student visits and experiences in nearby accessible nature spaces through the New Mexico History course
- Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center – student workshops and work opportunities through Youth Conservation Corp
Culture of Safety, Belonging, and Care
- NMPED Prevention, Response, & Resiliency Program in partnership RJ Ed
- New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence – Student pledge of non-violence
- Trans and Nonbinary Education and Training – Consultancy and staff-wide training
- Equity initiatives – The Community and Equity council is an equity-driven initiative addressing the intersectional community issues and assets of students, parents, staff, community partners, and community members. In the 24-25 school year this has included the development of a cultural calendar for lunch time and advisory activities, and the CS Coordinator attending district-wide equity training and sponsoring Alphabet Soup (see below)
- Alphabet Soup (GSA)- A safe and brave gathering space to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity through lunch time activities between students, staff/faculty, and co-conspirators. Any and all are welcome to join.
- Culture Calendar programming
Integrated Systems of Support
- Student Based-Health Center – referral basis through counselors, social workers, and Community Schools Coordinator for vision, hearing checks, physicals for sports, general health and wellness
- PB&J Family Services – in-school programming, family case management, and support groups to community
- Enlace Comunitario – Healthy relationships programming for students
- Agricultura network – Local foods distribution partner
- Ted M. Gallegos Community Center – Resource provider- food, housing, etc.
- NM GRADS Expecting and Parenting Youth Program
- BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico Community Outreach
- Three Sisters Kitchen – Food distribution starting 2024-25 for eligible families, and fresh vegetable grab and go bags for students. Funded and supported by Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation’s Wellness Across the Lifespan Grant
Connect With Your Comunity Schools Coordinator
1st Meeting of the Month (Breakfast provided):
7:25-8:25 AM
- 11/14, 12/12, 1/16, 2/13, 3/13, 4/10, 5/8
2nd Meeting of the Month (Light snacks provided.):
2:45-3:45 PM
- 10/24, 11/21, 1/30, 2/27, 3/27, 4/24, 5/15
If you are a parent, student, neighbor, community organization, or other entity with questions or interested in joining the council, please MAA’s Community Schools Coordinator:
Rios Fernandez – Community Schools Coordinator
- Work cell (text or call): 505-810-6423
- Email: rios@markarmijo.com