Chancellor David C. Banks Announces Partnership With the Robin Hood Foundation to Support Next Generation Community Schools K-8 Pilot Program

NEW YORK – Chancellor David C. Banks today announced that the application for the Next Generation Community Schools (NGCS) K-8 pilot program is live and open to eligible schools. With thanks to a $5.5 million 3-year grant from the Robin Hood Foundation, the Next Generation Community Schools Pilot Program will implement a new, academically re-imagined community school model in 20 K-5 and K-8 schools across our five boroughs.

“New York City relies on partnership and community from our local businesses to thrive, and our schools are no different,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The Next Generation Community Schools K-8 pilot program is a vital expansion of our community school model, helping to ensure that our students have well-rounded access to the tools and supports they need on their journeys to success. I am proud of the powerful partnerships that made this pilot possible and I thank Robin Hood for their demonstrated commitment to investing in our young people and their bright futures.”

"It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and rightfully so. As our city heals from the pandemic, we must come together to support our community members, our neighbors and, most importantly, our young people. Our K-8 Next Generation Community School Pilot Program will engage our CBO partners to support our schools and students academically, as well connect them with social-emotional supports and expanded learning opportunities, to help every student get the right academic support at the right time,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “This incredible pilot program would not be possible without collaboration. Thank you to the Robin Hood Foundation for helping us realize this vision, and to our partners at The Relay Graduate School of Education, Bank Street College of Education, Change Impact, and the NYU Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools for their commitment to this work."

"Learning never happens in isolation and once again the village is aligning to tackle the barriers and support our students through the Next Generation Community Schools Pilot Program. Our city has been a national leader in the Community Schools movement, we know that the model works, and we are grateful to the Robin Hood Foundation and all of the partners involved for their support and partnership as we build on our proven track record and lead the next phase of this important work," said Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright.

"The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how we can never again take for granted the preconditions that are necessary for learning, especially for low-income students. We know the community school model works, and that in New York City, students in these schools graduate high school at higher rates than other schools. Community schools, with their unique partnerships and staffing, also create opportunities for additional academic interventions and Robin Hood is enthusiastic to partner with the DOE to develop the next generation of community schools that not only meet students’ basic needs but also provide an enhanced learning environment with families, schools, and community partners sharing accountability for student achievement and well-being," said Richard R. Buery, Jr. CEO of Robin Hood.

By the 2023-2024 school year, the NGCS K-8 pilot program will incorporate CBO-led academic programming and instructional leadership coaching at 20 schools, building on the success of our community school model by amplifying teaching and learning practices and academic programming.

Made possible by Robin Hood, New York City's largest local poverty-fighting philanthropy, select schools will pilot three NGCS enhancements in partnership with these organizations:

• The Relay Graduate School of Education will support participating schools in adopting evidence-based practices for providing high quality instruction to all students.
• Bank Street College of Education will provide professional development to help build the capacity of schools’ CBOs to deliver academic programming during the school day and expanded learning time, utilizing the High 5s program in collaboration with the University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab.
• Change Impact and the NYU Metropolitan Center for the Study of Equity and the Transformation of Schools will train CBO and school leaders in collaborative leadership practices to ensure coordinated instruction.

The application for our Next Generation Community Schools K-8 Pilot Program is now open. Qualified school applicants are new community schools established in the 2021-2022 school year serving elementary school students. All schools fitting that criteria have been notified of their eligibility and can reach out to communityschools@schools.nyc.gov for more information. All 20 selected schools will be notified of their selection by December 21^st.

“We know that community schools are essential for our students and families to thrive. Not only is New York City opening their arms up to welcome new families, we are investing in areas of need. The K-8 Next Generation Community School Pilot Program, will help the village that it takes to support New York City Children," said NYC Council Education Committee Chairwoman Rita Joseph.

"The Coalition of Community Schools Excellence (CCSE) is encouraged by this significant investment from the Robin Hood Foundation to advance New York City's community school strategy - the largest initiative of its kind in the nation. Centering our Community Based Organization members in this model founded upon four evidence-based pillars - providing students with integrated supports, expanding learning time and enrichment activities, activating family and community engagement, and advancing collaborative leadership and practices - can provide a foundation for the Next Generation Community School Pilot. CCSE looks forward to our continued collaboration with the Department as we work together towards meeting the needs of New York City's youth," said Terrence Winston, Chairperson for the Coalition of Community Schools Excellence. 

“We could not be more grateful to the Robin Hood Foundation and to our partners for their support,” said Acting Chief of Schools for Community Supports and Wellness Flavia Puello Perdomo. “The existing community school model has provided tremendous supports to our most socially vulnerable students, and we look forward to strategically expanding the ways this model operates in schools.”

"We are excited to build on the success of the Community School model by enhancing the focus and shared commitment to academics through this Next Generation pilot for K-8," said Stephen Cockrell, Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Fund for Public Schools. "We are grateful to Robin Hood and all of our partners for their collaboration in this public-private partnership."