School Connect

School Connect's mission is to connect all 2485 Arizona K-12 schools to their communities so that every child has a village of support to help them reach their potential. We gather community stakeholders in education, business, faith, nonprofit, civic and other community leaders to build sustainable partnerships in support of our children/students and communities.

Testimonials

Results are measured through comprehensive Case Studies that follow progress once the School Connect model is implemented. Two examples:

2017-2019 Case Study of Mountain View Elementary School
This inner-city K-8th grade school with enrollment of between 1330 and 1500 students, 100% FRL (free & reduced lunch rate), and 24% 3rd grade reading proficiency, welcomed a new Principal in 2017 who was familiar with and immediately implemented the School Connect model. After two years the number of community partners grew from one to 30. These churches, businesses and nonprofit/government agencies provided wrap around services to students and their families, including academic support, after school programs, as well as professional development and supports for teachers. Additional results include: attendance rate measuring 94%, K-3rd grade reading improved by 64%, teacher retention increased by 80%, and parents have formed a PTO as well as a neighborhood association where the village continues to work together to transform their school and surrounding community.

The Story of Palo Verde Middle School
Before the School Connect Model was introduced, Palo Verde Middle School's letter grade measuring academic achievement was a D, discipline behavior was high, and complaints about the school from the surrounding community were frequent. The area itself experienced economic disadvantages, impacting local families. Students seemed uninspired and teachers turnover was high. Implementation of the School Connect Model created a structure for the school community to turn things around. Together the school and community leadership brought a focus to teacher support: with meals and gift cards and remodeling the teacher lounge. Students were inspired by visiting college students who represented similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Students grew in leadership development and impacted their community through a unique initiative led by teachers who guided students to foster kindness and respect in the culture of the campus. The results were dramatic: the school letter grade increased to a B, discipline problems decreased by 62.8%; attendance improved 100%; student surveys revealed that they felt surrounded by positive influences, that teachers supported them to be "the best they could be" and where they learned to treat others the way they want to be treated. Teacher retention increased by 83%.

Since developing this comprehensive model of engagement with one school community in 2014, School Connect has steadily grown to support, train and coach partnerships in more than 700 of Arizona's 2485 public district and charter schools.

The lives of students and families, principals and teachers, as well as members of the "village" or school community stakeholders have been positively impacted through School Connect's model of engagement that focuses on partnership formation and strategic collaborations connecting the unique strengths and goals of each stakeholder. Stories of personal and collective impact are told by students, teachers, parents, business, government, nonprofit and faith leaders, and illustrated in the following short videos:
https://youtu.be/zHfPh4g_geE - Together We Change The World - this video describes how collaborative community engagement impacts students and schools
https://youtu.be/JG1c1xOLOEo - Mountain View School Story - this video shows the impact of an entire village supporting the school and the entire neighborhood around the school
https://youtu.be/vtzKedRkqBY - Valencia Newcomer School Story - this video shows the school winning School Connect's "It Takes A Village Award" for demonstrating the spirit of the School Connect Model by engaging their community to support and uphold their students, families, and entire school