From the Sunshine State to the Old North State: How Community Schools Strengthen Public Education

by Brittany Gregory, ncforum.org

Florida’s example shines a light on how North Carolina’s own communities are turning schools into hubs of connection and opportunity.

In many places, schools are finding new energy through the strength of their communities. When families, educators, and local partners come together, schools become more than buildings—they become gathering places filled with warmth, care, and possibility.

That spirit is at the heart of Florida’s Community Partnership Schools approach. Public schools there partner with local hospitals, universities, and nonprofits to offer healthcare, job training, and family programs all under one roof. Classrooms stay open a little later, gymnasiums host family nights, and community spaces fill with the kind of everyday activity that makes a school feel alive.

The results have been encouraging. Schools report better attendance, higher graduation rates, stronger local economies, and renewed pride in public education. Businesses benefit from a more prepared workforce, and families feel supported in ways that reach beyond the classroom.

Here in North Carolina, we already have many of the same ingredients that make this approach successful: strong universities, vibrant faith communities, local leaders who care deeply about families, and a long tradition of neighbors helping neighbors. The North Carolina Community Schools Coalition is helping connect those strengths—bringing together districts, educators, and community partners to build schools that reflect the heart of their hometowns.

When schools and communities move in rhythm with one another, children thrive, families feel supported, and the whole community grows stronger.