Whereas community schools marshal, align, and unite the assets, resources, and capacity of schools and communities for the success of students, families, and communities;

Whereas community schools are an effective, evidence-based strategy for school improvement included under section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7275);

Whereas community schools that provide integrated student support, including well-designed and expanded learning opportunities informed by rigorous community-connected classroom instruction, and practice collaborative leadership, promote a culture of belonging, safety, and active family and community engagement, leading to positive academic and nonacademic outcomes, including improvements in student attendance, behavior, academic achievement, school readiness, mental and physical health, high school graduation rates, school climate, and reduced racial and economic achievement gaps;

Whereas community schools have the potential to reduce chronic absenteeism in urban, suburban, and rural schools, as indicated in a 2026 and 2024 report;

Whereas a 2023 study found that mental health care provided through community schools addresses disparities through school-provided service and shows improved academic performance and student conduct, including reducing the number of school suspensions and disciplinary referrals;

Whereas a 2025 report found that community schools and the community as a whole produce a positive impact on student engagement, reduction in student discipline incidents, on-time grade progression, and credit accumulation for high school students;

Whereas community schools have a positive impact on meeting students’ basic needs, including nutritional services and access to comprehensive health services, as indicated in a 2024 report;

Whereas community schools provide a strong social return on investment, with one study citing a social return of between $10 to $15 for every dollar invested over a 3-year period;

Whereas community school coordinators are essential to building successful community schools and creating, strengthening, and maintaining partnerships between community schools and their communities;

Whereas community school coordinators facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative process and development of a system of supports and opportunities for children, families, and others within a school’s community that allow all students to learn and the community to thrive;

Whereas community school coordinators, through their role, deliver a strong monetary return on investment for community schools and their communities, with one study citing a return of $7.11 for every dollar invested in the salary of a community school coordinator; and

Whereas Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week, celebrated from September 13 through September 19, 2026, recognizes, raises awareness of, and celebrates the thousands of community school coordinators across the country and the critical role of community school coordinators in the success of students: Now, therefore, be it