Full Service Community Schools

“The [full-service] community schools strategy transforms a school into a place where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning and healthy development. As partners, they organize in- and out-of-school resources, supports, and opportunities so that young people thrive.” – Framework: Essentials for Community School Transformation, January 2023.

The Essentials for Community School Transformation Framework helps school communities actively build strong relationships, partnerships and webs of supports while centering children, youth, families and communities through the integrated development and improvement of six “key practices” as defined in the Framework: Essentials for Community School Transformation.

Student Support Services

Family and Community Services

Locations

Robbinsdale Academy Highview & Robbinsdale Virtual Academy

Site Coordinator - Hannah Fussy (they/them)

Hannah is a community advocate, educator, and lifelong learner with a proven track record of scaling evidence-based violence prevention programming through trauma-informed practice. A University of Minnesota Morris graduate with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a concentration in Diversity and Equity in Education, Hannah has supported youth and families across Central Minnesota as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, classroom teacher, and violence prevention advocate.

Now serving as the Full Service Community Schools Coordinator at Robbinsdale Academy – Highview, Hannah brings experience, dedication, and genuine excitement to their work. They are passionate about uncovering the unique assets of each school community and taking a holistic approach to caring for students and families alongside their team.

Outside of work, Hannah champions self-care — enjoying morning walks with a podcast, treating themself to hair and nail appointments, and spending time with their cat, Oatus.

Site Overview

Site Plan

Site Leadership Team

Robbinsdale Academy- Highview & Robbinsdale Virtual Academy (RVA) Site Leadership Team

The Robbinsdale Academy-Highview & Robbinsdale Virtual Academy (RVA) Site Leadership Team is the collaborative planning and leadership body that supports the ongoing success of our Full-Service Community School. The team is responsible for creating a shared vision, identifying priorities and desired outcomes, and aligning school, family, and community partnerships to meet the unique needs of students and families. Together, the team works to integrate resources, strengthen collaboration, and build sustainable systems that promote student success and well-being.

The Highview/RVA Site Leadership Team includes the school principal, Community School Coordinator, parents and caregivers, teachers, district staff, students, community partners, and community members who represent the diverse voices and perspectives of the Highview/RVA community.

The Highview/RVA Full-Service Community School Site Leadership Team will consist of at least 12 members (but is not limited to this number) and will meet monthly throughout the school year, either virtually, at the school, or at another location within the school community.

Partnerships

Northport Elementary

Site Coordinator - Nesani Sabal

As an educator, community advocate, and passionate supporter of youth, Nesani brings a wealth of experience serving students and families in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Robbinsdale.

Throughout her career, she has worked in the classroom, community education, and as a dedicated volunteer. She has also coordinated after-school enrichment programs and partnered with the Cities of Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center to plan and facilitate community events.

Community is at the heart of everything Nesani does. She believes that strong relationships and meaningful connections are the foundation for supporting students and families. Her strengths include building relationships with people from all walks of life, ensuring families and students have access to the resources they need, and planning engaging community events.

Nesani is passionate about the Community Schools model because it fosters a culture of belonging, collaboration, and care, creating environments where every student, family, and community member can thrive.

Site Overview

Site Plan

Site Leadership Team

Northport Elementary Site Leadership Team

The Northport Elementary Site Leadership Team serves as the collaborative planning and decision-making body that guides the success of our Full-Service Community School. The team works together to develop a shared vision for the school, identify priorities and desired outcomes, and align school, family, and community resources to support the academic, social, emotional, and overall well-being of students. The Site Leadership Team also plays a key role in strengthening partnerships and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Community School strategy.

The Northport Elementary Site Leadership Team is made up of the school principal, Community School Coordinator, parents and caregivers, teachers, district staff, students, community partners, and other community members who reflect the diverse voices of the Northport community.

The Northport Elementary Full-Service Community School Site Leadership Team will consist of at least 12 members (but is not limited to this number) and will meet monthly throughout the school year, either virtually, at Northport Elementary, or at another location within the school community.

Partnerships

Cooper High School

Site Overview

Site Plan

FSCS Site Plan

(Goal 1) Social and Emotional Supports for Students

Focus Areas: Providing social-emotional support for students during the school day and after school.

Key Approach: Increase access to social-emotional and mental health supports to strengthen student engagement and well-being, ensuring all students feel supported, connected, and heard. This will be achieved through partnerships with community organizations, targeted outreach, and staff referrals to expand access to services. Ongoing progress will be monitored by tracking participation and engagement data to continuously refine support and measure effectiveness, while actively engaging families through school communications and direct connections to build strong partnerships in supporting student well-being.

(Goal 2) Access to basic needs support for students (food, clothing, and hygiene)

Focus Areas: Expanding access to essential student supports, including food, clothing, and hygiene items.

Key Approach: Ensure consistent access to basic needs by reducing barriers to learning and providing a reliable, stigma-free system of support for students. This will be accomplished through on-site access to hygiene, food, and clothing resources supported by community partnerships and ongoing donation drives. Progress will be monitored by tracking participation and engagement data to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve services, while maintaining strong family and community partnerships through school communication channels and direct outreach to support student engagement and well-being.

(Goal 3) Increase Access to Academic Support for students

Focus Areas: Enhancing academic support through homework help and tutoring opportunities.

Key Approach: Expand academic support beyond the school day to improve student achievement, course completion, study skills, and confidence. This will be accomplished through on-site tutoring and homework help provided in partnership with school staff and community organizations. Progress will be monitored by tracking participation and engagement and using student data to evaluate effectiveness and refine supports, while families will be engaged through direct outreach, encouraged to participate in academic opportunities, and kept informed of student progress and available resources through ongoing school communications.

(Goal 4) Strengthen Family & Community Engagement

Focus Areas: Enhance family and community engagement through strong partnerships, effective communication, and expanded access to school-based supports and resources.

Key Goals: Increase meaningful family and community involvement by expanding access to resources and creating inclusive, culturally responsive engagement opportunities. This will be accomplished through ongoing events such as family nights, community resource fairs, educational workshops, and volunteer opportunities in partnership with community organizations. Progress will be monitored by tracking participation and attendance, gathering feedback from students and families, and using data to assess satisfaction, identify barriers, and guide improvements, while consistently creating opportunities to elevate family voice and strengthen partnerships between families, staff, and the broader community.

Site Leadership Team

Site Leadership Team Mission Statement
The Cooper High School’s Site Leadership Team is the focused planning committee behind the success of our community school. The Site Leadership Team is responsible for creating a shared vision for the school, identifying desired results, and helping align and integrate the work of partners within the school and sustainability. The CHS Site Leadership team is made up of our school principal, community school coordinator, parents, teachers, district staff, students, and community members. The CHS full-service community school leadership team will consist of at least 12 people (but not limited to) who meet monthly throughout the year virtually, at the school or another location within the school’s community.

Partnerships

Essential Framework & Key Practices

Community School Transformation Model

1. Collaborative Leadership, Shared Power and Voice

Families, students, teachers, principals and community partners co-create a culture of professional learning, collective trust and shared responsibility as they make decisions together. These decisions are made in both formal structures, such as site-based leadership teams and regularly administered surveys, and through more informal engagement, such as coffee with the coordinator, hallway conversations and community gatherings.

2. Powerful Student, Family and Community Engagement

3. Integrated Systems of Supports

4. Enriched and Out-of-School-Time Learning Opportunities

Before- and after-school, weekend and summer programs provide additional time, staffing and opportunities for learning and engagement. These include academic instruction, enrichment and extracurricular activities, and individualized support. Students have opportunities to explore their passions, dive deeper into the application of academic content, and strengthen their knowledge and skills.

5. Rigorous, Community-Connected (Culturally Responsive) Classroom Instruction

6. Culture of Belonging, Safety and Care

The school climate is welcoming and fosters trust among students, families, partners and staff. Each person in the school community is valued for their rich diversity of experiences and is encouraged to share their views, knowledge and culture. The school becomes a place grounded in healthy relationships, in which members feel safe and comfortable navigating conflicts and taking risks. Students feel connected to and are active participants in the school community.

Contact

Nieshea Smith,

Community Partnership and Resource Specialist

nieshea_smith@rdale.org | 763-504-4086

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Schools

In This Section

Full Service Community Schools

Services Provided

Student Support Services

Family and Community Services

Locations

Robbinsdale Academy Highview & Robbinsdale Virtual Academy

Site Overview

Site Plan

Site Leadership Team

Partnerships

Northport Elementary

Site Overview

Site Plan

Site Leadership Team

Partnerships

Cooper High School

Site Overview

Site Plan

FSCS Site Plan

(Goal 1) Social and Emotional Supports for Students

(Goal 2) Access to basic needs support for students (food, clothing, and hygiene)

(Goal 3) Increase Access to Academic Support for students

(Goal 4) Strengthen Family & Community Engagement

Site Leadership Team

Partnerships

Essential Framework & Key Practices

Community School Transformation Model

1. Collaborative Leadership, Shared Power and Voice

2. Powerful Student, Family and Community Engagement

3. Integrated Systems of Supports

4. Enriched and Out-of-School-Time Learning Opportunities

5. Rigorous, Community-Connected (Culturally Responsive) Classroom Instruction

6. Culture of Belonging, Safety and Care

Contact