About NCCSC
Strengthening public schools through community-driven partnerships to help every child thrive.
Our Mission
To improve the academic, mental, and physical health of North Carolina students by supporting schools to serve as hubs of community resources, with students and families as leaders positioned to influence the systems around them.
Why We Exist
Across North Carolina, many students face barriers to meeting basic needs such as mental health care, adequate food and stable housing. More than 40% of NC’s public school students are economically disadvantaged, and for many, schools are the most consistent access point for critical services. Without stronger connections between schools, families, and community resources, these gaps persist — holding back both student outcomes and community growth.
The challenge ahead is clear:
- Underfunded schools – North Carolina consistently ranks at the bottom for school funding level, both overall and on a per-student basis compared to taxpayer income.
- Widespread poverty – Nearly half of North Carolina’s children (43%) live in poor or low-income homes. One third of our state schools serve high poverty communities (75% or more of students are economically disadvantaged), reaching roughly 400,000 students. These students can benefit from a strong community school framework increasing services such as mental health support, medical care and out of school time programs.
- Eroding student success –The most economically disadvantaged students achieve lower test scores, miss more school, and demonstrate increased dropout rates.
Every child in North Carolina deserves the opportunity and resources to reach their full academic potential — leading to better job opportunities, stronger communities, and improved physical and mental health outcomes.
Our Framework
We’ve adapted the evidence-based Community Schools approach to create a unique model for strengthening North Carolina’s public schools. Customized to each community’s strengths and challenges, it brings together partnerships, resources, and leadership to address students’ needs holistically — academically, physically, and emotionally.
Our work focuses on four key pillars of the evidence-based community school approach:
- Collaborative Leadership – Students, families, educators, and partners share decision-making to shape school priorities.
- Integrated Student Supports – Coordinated access to academic, mental health, and physical health services reduces duplicative efforts and prioritizes needs.
- Family & Community Engagement – Strong, ongoing relationships between schools, families, and local organizations.
- Expanded Learning Time – Offering more out of school opportunities before, during and after school.
Why it works
Since schools are the most consistent access point for support and services, they become trusted hubs that help every child thrive and strengthen local communities.
Guiding Values
- All of our Kids are All of our Kids
The health and welfare of our children is representative of our collective humanity. We affirm the wholeness of children and families, acknowledging that students are not broken, the systems around them are. - We hold our histories with hope and lament
We cannot envision a new future without acknowledging and analyzing the past. By honoring the vision of those who came before us, we aspire to create a system of educational justice that enables children in North Carolina to draft their own futures. - The long work is the right work
We are focused on long-term, sustainable system changes. We must consider the implications of each decision we make on future generations, never settling for an easy short-term answer that could negatively impact long-term progress. - No one owes us entry
It is our responsibility to be with those who have entrusted us as partners, meeting them where they are, and allowing them to be our guides as we understand their communities and as they determine how we can best support their schools. - Create wild amounts of intentional systems
To support our work, we co-create intentional systems that can sustain and enhance individual initiatives. - Behind every statistic is a story
We focus on the human at the center of our systems. Statistics are tools used to tell stories. - Adults matter too
We recognize that the well-being of guardians, teachers, and staff has a direct impact on children. While we co-create the conditions for students to succeed, we also support the adults in their lives, both through programming and advocacy. - This is not common. But it can be.
We believe that radical change is not just needed—it is possible. We are driven by a vision of schools led by and for children and their families that are pillars of democracy and hubs of community pride and resources.
Who's Involved
The North Carolina Community Schools Coalition is powered by a statewide network of school administrators, educators, district leaders, universities, nonprofit organizations, and leaders at the Department of Public Instruction. Together, we align resources, expand opportunities, and strengthen the role of public schools in communities across the state.
See the full list of participating schools and partners.
“I’m incredibly proud of the education I’ve received. Public schools are the heartbeat of rural communities like mine. They’re not just where we learn the fundamentals like reading and math; they’re also where we build relationships, find mentors and discover our passions.
I’ve seen firsthand how the community schools model brings everyone together. It ensures that schools are not separate from the community but are an integral part of it. When the community is invested in schools, students thrive."
Erica Moore
Senior, Northeast High School