When families face instability—whether due to poverty, trauma, or systemic barriers—children often carry that weight with them into the classroom. But what if the school itself could be part of the solution?
That’s the vision behind community schools, an innovative model where schools serve as hubs for academic instruction and wraparound support. These schools partner with local organizations to provide critical services that address the full spectrum of a student’s needs—educational, emotional, physical, and familial.
Pine Bluff has been awarded a planning grant from the National Education Association (NEA) to create a community school. At a meeting of the 100 Families Initiative of Jefferson County, educators and community leaders discussed the concept.
What Is a Community School?
A community school is more than a place of learning. It’s a neighborhood anchor. These schools often have:
- Health clinics or mental health counselors on-site
- Food pantries or meal programs
- Family resource centers
- Social workers
- Partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, and faith groups
By weaving support services into the daily life of a school, children and families can access help where they already are—no complicated referrals and no transportation barriers.
“The first thing we have to do is conduct a needs assessment to determine the needs of our community,” said Kimberley Davis, Dean of the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. “We’ve been meeting and traveling to various convenings with other community schools to learn what they are doing.”
“We have a lot of great things going on in Pine Bluff. But with all the good happening, we’re operating in silos,” Davis said. “The purpose of a community school is to break down those silos. We are stronger together, and we can bring our community together. We have so many great programs in Pine Bluff—like the Boys & Girls Club.”
“Also, while we’re thinking about what we can do for our students, we must also be thinking about what we can do for our parents—in areas like employment and literacy.”
Phillip Carlock, Assistant Superintendent of the Pine Bluff School District, brings valuable experience with community schools and the power of strong community partnerships.
“I do notice that people tend to operate in their own lane, and they’re very careful not to step into someone else’s,” Carlock said. “We want to break those lanes and get on the same highway—because we’re all headed in the same direction.”
“We know that thriving communities value schools and education. And in turn, thriving schools value the community. We’re just so excited about what a community school can bring to Pine Bluff.”
Carlock emphasized that the needs assessment must include a broad range of voices at the table—including parents.
“We can’t assume we already know what schools and parents need these days,” he said. “The way I grew up was like the Flintstones era compared to how things are today.”
Davis added that student voices will also play a key role.
“We want to pull in students and get their feedback,” Davis said. “We want to ask them what they need to be successful and what they wish they had—or could learn—in school.”
Keeping Children Safe
When schools are connected to systems of care, they become early warning centers. Teachers and staff are often the first to notice signs of neglect, mental health struggles, or family instability. A community school model ensures there’s a clear path to action—connecting the child to counseling, the family to housing, or both to a larger case plan that brings stability.
By intervening early and coordinating services, community schools help prevent deeper crises, including child welfare involvement or juvenile justice system contact.
Tavante Calhoun, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County, which has been serving the Pine Bluff community for almost 80 years. "This national Boys & Girls Club organization has been supportive our community for such a long time," noted Calhoun. "Now we all just have to put our boots on the ground and do the work for our community."
Strengthening Communities
The benefits of community schools don’t end at the classroom door. As families gain access to resources, jobs, and support, entire communities grow stronger. Attendance improves. Graduation rates rise. Neighborhood trust is rebuilt.
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Smart Justice is a magazine, podcast, and continuing news coverage from the nonprofit Restore Hope and covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
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