Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have announced the approval of over $618 million in funding to support 458 community schools across California. This decision was made during the State Board of Education’s May meeting, marking the final round of grants from the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).
The CCSPP, a $4.1 billion initiative, aims to address barriers to learning that contribute to inequitable student outcomes. It partners with education, county, and nonprofit entities to provide integrated health, mental health, and social services alongside high-quality instruction.
“California continues to find and support innovative ways to make schools a place where every family and student can succeed,” stated Governor Newsom. He emphasized that more than 450 additional schools will offer various services such as free meals, mental health counseling, and extended school programs.
With this latest allocation, nearly 2,500 community schools in California are now funded under this program. These schools are located in some of the state’s highest-need communities.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond expressed pride in the growth of the Community Schools initiative: “These grants support our schools to address foundational needs for learning.” He highlighted that these programs help ensure students are healthy and ready to learn.
Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the State Board of Education, noted that well-resourced community schools improve attendance and achievement among students. She commended Governor Newsom for prioritizing this approach in California.
Community schools are part of a broader transformation in public education within California. The initiative includes universal free school meals, transitional kindergarten programs, and investments in teacher training. Established by legislation passed in 2021 and expanded in 2022, the CCSPP supports coordination efforts for maximum impact.
The recent funding will be distributed among 121 Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) across California. This builds on previous allocations totaling nearly $3 billion since the program’s inception.
Examples of successful implementations include Elk Hills Elementary School District in Kern County and Folsom Cordova Unified School District. Both districts have reported improvements in academic performance and reduced absenteeism due to their community school models.
Buena Vista Horace Mann School in San Francisco has also benefited from CCSPP funding by offering extensive health resources and reducing chronic absenteeism through its comprehensive support programs.
For further details on the California Community Schools Partnership Program, information is available on CDE’s community schools webpage.
